Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers made his plans for the last January transfer window pretty clear in the interviews he held at the time, and the business Hoops fans saw from the club did not match with his words, so this was always going to be an interesting summer on that front as our gaffer will undoubtedly expect to be backed far more strongly at this time of asking.
Every fan knows where we need to improve on the pitch, as although we can partially blame injuries for our consistency issues in 2023/24, that is not a total excuse for the problems we had. With the 51 year old securing a domestic double on his return to Parkhead, he will be hoping to make it a more comfortable treble if he can next term, and key to achieving that will be how we strengthen.
For those who might fancy a small flutter on how our next campaign will go, You can try Outplayed for free which is the biggest matched betting platform. You would expect most to install Celtic as clear favourites for silverware again next season, but with the window open we cannot afford to be complacent, and if we strengthen correctly, odds across the board will reflect the growing confidence in the fanbase.
If we all accept that there is agreement on the key positions that must be improved upon, the main question for fans is really ‘who’ will we choose to put our faith in moving forward in those departments, and the position of goalkeeper is clearly one of the stand out decisions to be taken following former England international Joe Hart’s retirement.
It is not the only important position that requires a solve though, we should certainly be expecting movement at the top of the pitch, as although Norwich City striker Adam Idah’s spell with us was short, it was a pretty successful loan deal as in his 19 appearances across all competitions, the 23 year old chipped in with nine goals.
With his spot in the first team squad to be filled and no clear indication yet of whether or not he will return to the club on a permanent deal, there is already plenty of speculation on the rumour mill that we may be willing to cash in on South Korean international Hyeon-gyu Oh, with some suggesting that Belgian side Genk have already tabled a firm offer of around £4 million for his services.
The 23 year old’s spell at the club over the last 18 months has been a pretty good one given his goal return, but he has struggled to really establish himself in Rodgers’ starting line up plans. There will be those fans who feel now he is better settled there should be far more to come from him, others would have liked to have seen more from him already and will be disappointed by the overall impact that he has had.
With there potentially being two attacking spots to fill, we have also recently been linked with Motherwell centre forward Theo Bair. The 24 year old Canadian had a slow start to the 2023/24 campaign after making the move to Fir Park from St Johnstone, but at the turn of the year he really exploded into life, scoring 13 goals from late December onwards.
With how he ended the campaign, naturally it is being reported that we are one of a number of potential suitors, not only in Scotland, but also a number of other major European leagues – not least a number of German Bundesliga sides are now being linked with his signature in the coming weeks.
With some talk that Norwich would want in the region of £6 million for Idah, Bair could well be a more cost effective option, if we do have an interest in him.
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