GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers, Celtic Chief Executive Officer Michael Nicholson and Celtic non-executive chariman Peter Lawwell during the 2024 Celtic Annual General Meeting at Celtic Park, on November 22, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Keith Jackson believes that Brendan Rodgers will be looking to add four first team starters to his Celtic squad.
In two seasons back at Celtic the Irishman has delivered two SPFL Premiership titles, a place in the Round of 16 Play Off in the Champions League and won two domestic cups.
It is a very decent record while delivering a transfer surplus thanks to the club’s willingness to sell Jota, Carl Starfelt, Matt O’Riley and Kyogo Furuhashi.
In the summer of 2023 Rodgers was handed a job lot of misfits scouted by Mark Lawwell, last summer there were no outfield signings in place for the pre-season trip to the USA with the club generating excitement by bringing in Auston Trusty, Luke McCowan and Arne Engels on transfer deadline day.
Alongside Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah that trio of signings will get the benefit of a pre-season under their belt this time around with Celtic fans hoping that there will be further additions made this month.
In the Daily Record’s Monday Jury their reporters were asked what they expected of Celtic in the transfer market.
Rangers are preparing for an overhaul this summer but do you expect much change to the Celtic squad?
KEITH:Â Brendan Rodgers was already looking to raise the bar again this summer before the Americans came to town.
A new striker, at least one winger, a midfielder and centre half will be on his wish list. The changes across the city might mean he’s given more money to recruit them than he had originally anticipated.
That answer is probably in line with the hopes, but not the expectations of most Celtic supporters with at least one winger and a striker probably the priorities.
At Hampden a week ago Celtic finished up with a forward line of Yang Hyun-jun, Johnny Kenny and Daizen Maeda who was on his last legs after an incredible contribution over the season.
In midfield Lennon Miller would seem a natural improvement but he has been under Celtic’s nose for two full seasons without an official bid being made.
The other big issue is outgoing transfers, after 10 Champions League matches there is bound to be interest in some of the players involved in that campaign with Idah, Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn all scoring three or more goals at that level.
How many new signings do Celtic need for the first day of pre-season training?
None, everything is fine
Two new signings needed
Three- we need freshness
Four or more- big changes needed
I realise it’s your blog …and you’ll dictate what’s in it…I do wonder ‘though…Why do you give Jackson the publicity he craves …but doesn’t deserve?? I couldn’t give a flying feck about his thoughts on anything…let alone who we should be signing…I find that a strange article.
Editor: He is the favourite reporter of the Celtic Chairman, when big Pete wants to go on the Record he phones his mate at the Record.
Each to their own…as my Granny used to say…And for clarification…I couldn’t give a flying feck what Lawwell thinks either.
Jackshun lecturing Brendan Rodgers on who to sign is like me lecturing anyone on a certain huge profit margin victimless ‘crime’ that I might have indulged in many moons ago…
That said – Please keep reporting his and the others evil about our club in your own unique and witty ways Joe !