Paul Slane has questioned the mood surrounding Celtic’s summer transfer window, suggesting Brendan Rodgers is creating unnecessary division between himself, the club’s hierarchy and the fans.
Speaking on Open Goal, the former Celtic youngster said he feels the current tension around the club’s recruitment strategy is in stark contrast to the cohesion shown during Ange Postecoglou’s reign and warned that the disconnect brewing under Rodgers is far from constructive.
Brendan Rodgers isn’t helping matters, and is actually causing tenesion with what he’s saying through the press, Slane claimed.
He pointed specifically to Rodgers’ shifting stance on Hayato Inamura. The left-back arrived with the understanding he’d go out on loan, with the manager making it clear he didn’t know much about the player and wasn’t actively involved in the signing, only for Rodgers to suggest days later that he could be kept in the squad after impressing in pre-season.
“Why does this always happen with Rodgers?” Slane asked on Open Goal. “Every transfer window this happens with him. It’s like he’s not getting backed or it’s no really his signing.
“When Ange was at Celtic the transfer was incredible and they were so ahead of their time. Celtic were actually like a transfer window ahead. The club seemed so together, it was proper healthy.
“When Rodgers comes in it always seems like it’s almost the manager against the club.
“What he said about Inamura was mad. 23 years old, and then after a week he’s saying, ‘Oh no, he is going to be part of the plans.’
“If he’s putting pressure on the board and then the fans start to get on it, that type of thing is no healthy at all.”
As the transfer window edges into August and squad gaps remain unfilled, the pressure is beginning to mount.
It’s got fans frustrated at the board and decision makers, while speculation around Rodgers’ future continues to swirl.
Celtic need to win the fans back on side and get some players in who can improve the squad.
