Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has taken aim at Brendan Rodgers’ calls for attacking reinforcements, casting doubt over Celtic’s recruitment last summer.
Rodgers has made no secret of his desire to add more firepower before the transfer window closes. The Irishman has spoken in recent days about the need for extra quality in the final third, particularly with key attacking options unavailable through injury.
Boyd, however, pointed to signings from last summer who have yet to make a significant impact, arguing that the club’s transfer activity hasn’t always delivered instant results.
The ex-striker implied that Celtic are already well-equipped to dominate domestically and questioned their realistic ambitions in Europe.
His comments come at a time when Celtic are building momentum early in the campaign, with the champions already showing their attacking threat despite missing several regular starters.
He said: (Sky Sports), “He spent money last year, though. Trusty can’t get a game, Engels can’t get a game – Idah wouldn’t be in the team if he didn’t have to be.”
“I kind of get the feeling as a club they are quite happy winning domestically.
“Where else are they going to go in Europe? Do you drop into the Europa League and maybe get a run in that? Then you don’t have the finances of the Champions League. Celtic are running the football club as a business and they do it really well – does that mean you need to go and sell two or three players to compensate?
“You can’t have it all. I think Celtic are quite content going into the Champions League – if they get to the knockout stages, well done. But apart from that they are quite happy winning comfortably domestically, and don’t get me wrong – they will.”
Boyd’s comments will raise eyebrows among Celtic supporters, not least because of their timing. With the Hoops in a strong position early on and facing a decisive Champions League qualifier, the suggestion they should limit their ambitions will not sit well with those who want to see the club push further on the European stage.
Rodgers has been clear that he sees recruitment as key to sustaining progress, both domestically and in Europe. His track record at Celtic shows a willingness to rotate and refresh his squad when required, something that has delivered consistent domestic success.
The question of whether Celtic should focus on Europe or maintain domestic dominance is one that has long divided pundits. Boyd’s assessment leans heavily towards prioritising the league, but history suggests the club’s ambitions stretch further.
With weeks left in the transfer window, Celtic’s next moves will reveal whether Rodgers’ push for attacking reinforcements is answered, and whether Boyd’s prediction of domestic comfort without European progress holds true.
