Brendan Rodgers, Celtic’s manager, has openly acknowledged that his team is not as robust as it was in the previous season, because of injuries and key player departures.
With defenders, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki, and Stephen Welsh sidelined for at least two months, and the exit of top players like Jota and Carl Starfelt, Rodgers is in a race against time as the transfer window nears its close. Reo Hatate’s return is also delayed until after the international break next month.
Chris Sutton has expressed concerns that Celtic is in a worse position now than at the end of the last season, a sentiment Rodgers agrees with. However, he is determined to strengthen the squad in the final week of the transfer window, especially with the Glasgow derby and Champions League matches approaching.
Rodgers told RecordSport, “Listen, I’m not going to beat about the bush when I’m talking about the bush. The squad is not as strong. That’s the reality. We’ve lost top players and we’ve got players out for a period of time, so I can’t disagree with that. The point I will make is that we will work very, very hard here to try to improve the squad.”
He acknowledged the loss of key players like Jota and Starfelt and the injuries to others but assured that improvements are being sought. “There is no doubt that we lost a matchwinner in Jota, we lost Starfelt who was a regular player in the squad. You then look at Carter-Vickers being out, a team’s mainstay over the last couple of years. Hatate too. Ok, he’s not quite been at the level that he has been at, but I’m pretty sure he would get to that very soon. So, all of a sudden you are missing players of that quality. So, we have to improve, which is what we will look to do.”
The Celtic manager also revealed that the team’s extensive injury list has necessitated changes in the transfer market strategy. He expressed disappointment in the injuries to the three centre-halves and acknowledged the need to address this area, saying, “Those three being out is obviously a big disappointment. We have big games, and it’s definitely an area that we’ll have to look at, especially with what we have available.”
Despite the challenges, Rodgers remains optimistic that Celtic will emerge stronger after the transfer window closes on September 1. He emphasised the need to improve the team rather than just the squad, stating, “Hopefully. Hopefully, I would say we have strengthened the squad. It is the team we need to improve.”
Rodgers also touched on the ongoing contract negotiations with Hatate and Liel Abada, expressing hope that agreements would be reached to reward and value the players.
