Chris Sutton has backed Brendan Rodgers’ pointed comments over Celtic’s lack of transfer business this summer, insisting the manager was “very strong” in his public message to the board ahead of the league opener this weekend.

Rodgers didn’t shy away from the frustrations around recruitment when speaking to the media on Friday, making clear that despite his push to strengthen the squad, deals have been slow to materialise. And Sutton believes his former club are again risking a slow start by not acting with the urgency required.

Taking to X, Sutton wrote: “Brendan Rodgers very strong today on the lack of activity so far from Celtic in the transfer market. Still time of course but easing into the season isn’t ideal. Only need to look at last season and the importance of a ferocious start…”

Celtic have added seven players so far this summer, including the likes of Benji Nygren, Kieran Tierney and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, but the glaring need for attacking reinforcements – particularly on the wings – has not gone unnoticed by the support or the manager.

Rodgers has repeatedly referenced the need to strengthen and admitted he would’ve liked players in sooner to integrate with the group. He also acknowledged that it’s on him to convince the board – comments Sutton clearly sees as a public nudge from the manager to decision-makers behind the scenes.

With the league flag set to be unfurled on Sunday, and Champions League qualifiers just weeks away, all eyes will now be on whether Celtic’s hierarchy delivers before the window shuts.