Brendan Rodgers has given his thoughts on Celtic’s summer signings, praising the attitude and mentality of the new arrivals.
Celtic have brought in Kieran Tierney, Shin Yamada, Benjamin Nygren and several others in a summer mix of returning experience, overseas additions and home-grown prospects. Rodgers is happy with the deals so far and says it’s important the players fit the club’s values both on and off the pitch.
Sunday’s opener will give supporters their first proper look at some of these players in competitive action at home. Rodgers has stressed that signings aren’t just about making an instant difference – they are about finding players who can develop within the team and add to its overall strength and style.
With only days until the first league match, Celtic will still be working on possible late moves. Extra cover in defence and more options in attack remain on the table, but any new arrival must have the right character, professionalism and quality to meet Rodgers’ standards.
He said: (Celtic TV), “I think it’s one of the things we look at when we’re bringing in a player. We obviously look at his temperament and look at his mentality, and knowing that this is a great culture here at Celtic.
“It’s important that we bring in not just good players, but good people to come in and fit our values. So all the guys that have come in have really done that.
“We bring them in because of their profile. They fit into a way in which we work.
“Then it’s really about developing that individual talent and then putting it into the team. Hopefully then the team flourishes”
Rodgers’ comments highlight the club’s long-term plan to build a balanced and competitive team, but many supporters remain uneasy. With Kyogo and Nicolas Kühn both gone in the past six months and Jota ruled out until next year, there is a clear lack of proven attacking replacements. Fans fear that without reinforcements, Celtic could be short of firepower when it matters most.
Sunday’s opener against St Mirren will be the first chance to see how Rodgers’ current options cope in competitive action, but the looming Champions League qualifiers add urgency to the situation.
Attention will be on the pitch this weekend, but the pressure to act in the transfer market is growing. Rodgers has said the door remains open for the right player, but with time ticking down before the September 1st deadline, supporters want to see attacking signings confirmed quickly.
The Celtic support will turn up in force at Celtic Park on Sunday, but many will have one eye firmly on the transfer news. The need for quality attacking additions before Europe’s biggest stage arrives has rarely felt so pressing.
