Former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov has raised concerns about the club’s lack of transfer activity, but admits speaking out might cost him a welcome at Parkhead.
With Celtic reeling from their Champions League exit to Kairat Almaty and the pressure of a derby trip to Ibrox approaching, fans have already questioned whether enough has been done to strengthen. Petrov’s verdict reflects those doubts, stressing the squad is short of both quality and leadership at a crucial stage.
Petrov, who won several trophies in Glasgow under Martin O’Neill, believes the focus on developing young players has gone too far. While Celtic have invested in potential, he feels proven performers are still missing, and that failure to recruit them has left Rodgers exposed.
And in a revealing comment, he admitted his honesty could see him “banished” from Celtic Park by a boardroom unwilling to hear blunt criticism of its transfer strategy.
He said: (Amazon Prime Video Sport), “If you want me to answer, they probably won’t let me back in Celtic Park.
“They need quite a few players. I think they are probably short four or five classy players; good quality. I think Celtic has always paid attention to development – developing players and giving them time.
“They do have those players – now they need quality. Now they need players who could make a difference. Gaffer (Martin O’Neill), he always looked for big players – big characters – who can make a difference. Sometimes you need players like that.
“I think this Celtic squad do need that kind of help. I think they do need a financial injection. They need quality, and they need players who can make the difference on the big stage.”
Petrov’s comments underline the growing gulf between the expectations of supporters and the decisions being taken at board level. His call for a “financial injection” and “big characters” adds weight to Rodgers’ own warning that Celtic have been left to “manufacture their own stress.”
The timing could hardly be sharper. With the transfer window closing on Monday night and Rangers awaiting at Ibrox on Sunday, Celtic’s squad issues have never been more glaring. Petrov’s insistence that four or five “classy players” are still required speaks to a wider feeling that the club has stalled in its progress.
That blunt assessment may not sit comfortably inside the Parkhead boardroom, but few could argue with the substance of what he said. Celtic’s failure to seize last year’s momentum in Europe now risks undermining the domestic campaign too.
As the deadline ticks closer, both Rodgers and the support will hope the hierarchy listen rather than silence their critics. Petrov’s warning carries the weight of experience, and ignoring it could prove costly in the weeks and months ahead.
