Brendan Rodgers has acknowledged that Celtic’s current predicament in the Champions League qualifiers is not a surprise and reflects a scenario he feared would unfold if recruitment wasn’t handled early enough.

After a frustrating 0-0 draw with Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park, Rodgers was asked whether this situation, facing a perilous second leg away from home without key reinforcements, was something he had warned about. The manager didn’t shy away from the implication.

“I think it was pretty clear. I think you don’t need to look into the future too far. You know these games are tough games and you know that you want to have your best players in and have players in as quick as you can to tackle these sorts of situations. So yeah, but it is what it is. And I just have to accept where it’s at. And we shall, as I said, get ready now for Saturday and then get ready for the long haul Sunday and really try and get through on Tuesday.” [TCW]

The statement echoed the growing frustration within the support, who’ve watched a summer of limited transfer activity despite glaring squad needs and record financial strength. Rodgers, who has been publicly measured in his comments, sounded a more resigned tone on Wednesday night.

Even if, by some miracle, Celtic go and sign players before next week’s second leg, they can’t be registered for the match.

Celtic now face a crucial away leg in Almaty, with the Champions League group stage and the financial windfall it brings on the line.

But the manager’s words underline the reality that this could have been avoided. Fans didn’t need the manager to say this though, we already knew that.

Rodgers wanted players in early to tackle these exact challenges. Instead, Celtic are scrambling, with squad depth stretched and margins razor-thin.