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Celtic’s activity in the recent transfer window “reeks of incompetence,” with some calling it an “absolute embarrassment.” Fans express that they are “no longer surprised, just disappointed.”
Observers suggest the Scottish Premiership champions’ board is “actively managing a decline,” and the failure to significantly strengthen the squad “feels like self-sabotage.”
The Glasgow club has “proven again they are not a serious football club,” leading to speculation that manager Brendan Rodgers “would be justified in leaving this time.”
To say Celtic supporters are unhappy with the summer’s developments barely scratches the surface of the widespread anger currently felt.
Frustration is mounting as fans revolt against the board’s perceived lack of investment, with the manager also directing criticism toward his superiors.
With Rodgers’ contract nearing its end, these divisions appear to be heading towards a singular, unfavorable outcome.
On the field, a costly and humiliating Champions League exit, compounded by a lackluster Old Firm performance, has further intensified the discontent.
Another disappointing deadline day served as the final straw for many fans. But how did Celtic reach this point, and what could be next?
The flurry of signings that Rodgers and Celtic fans desired on deadline day failed to materialize.
Only one player, Tunisian winger Sebastian Tounekti, was added to the roster, while Adam Idah was allowed to join Swansea despite Rodgers’ earlier assertions that the striker would not be released without a replacement secured.
With Kyogo Furuhashi’s departure in January still unaddressed, Celtic already needed a striker. Now, they find themselves two short.
The potential arrival of former Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, currently a free agent after his Sevilla contract was terminated, is unlikely to pacify disgruntled fans.
Celtic’s hopes of securing striker Kasper Dolberg for £8m were dashed when the Dane opted to return to Ajax from Anderlecht.
This setback left the Scottish champions scrambling in the window’s final hours.
Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana reportedly rejected Celtic in favor of English League One side Charlton, though that move ultimately fell through. Strasbourg’s Sekou Mara was another forward linked, but no agreement was reached.
As the dust settled on Celtic’s summer business and the window closed, it marked a significant anti-climax for a disillusioned fanbase.
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‘Rodgers needs a wide player & striker – no doubt’
Celtic made 12 signings during this window, but only five appear likely to be regular starters in Rodgers’ strongest XI, assuming he views Iheanacho as such.
Kieran Tierney is expected to play when fit, while Tounekti, Benjamin Nygren, and Michel-Ange Balikwisha seem to have been recruited with the intention of becoming regular fixtures.
The remaining additions consist of young loanees, developmental players, or squad depth options.
Considering that 11 first-team squad members, along with 12 younger players, have departed this summer, it could be argued that the numbers balance out.
However, can Tounekti, Nygren, or Balikwisha effectively replace Nicolas Kuhn and the long-term injured Jota? Do Tierney and loanee Marcelo Saracchi represent an upgrade over Greg Taylor and Jeffrey Schlupp at left-back? And will Iheanacho prove to be an adequate replacement for Idah and Kyogo?
For additional attacking options, Rodgers is left with raw summer signing Shin Yamada, Callum Osmand, who has been playing for the B team, and 22-year-old fringe player Johnny Kenny as his striker options behind Daizen Maeda, who will have to be moved from the left wing to fill the vacant slot.
Even Tounekti’s acquisition raises questions. Rodgers is quoted as saying the winger can “operate on both sides,” yet the 23-year-old clearly favors the left, having played 70 games on that flank compared to just eight on the right.
With recent signing Balikwisha, who appeared hesitant to take on players during his debut in Sunday’s derby draw at Ibrox, and Maeda also favoring the left side, is there now an imbalance within Celtic’s squad, with an overabundance on the left and a shortage on the right?
Considering all these factors, a strong argument can be made that Celtic has emerged from this transfer window in a weaker position than when it began.
Having repeatedly requested reinforcements for several months, Rodgers’ side suffered an embarrassing Champions League exit at the hands of Kairat Almaty.
Demanding Europa League and domestic commitments now lie ahead for the manager, who is under contract until next summer.
His first stint ended prematurely, with the Northern Irishman departing for Leicester City under controversial circumstances. Rodgers has stated his intention to see out his current contract with Celtic.
Time will reveal how his current squad performs, both domestically and in European competitions, for the remainder of the season.
John: Simply not good enough and time will tell if we pay the price. I won’t accept any excuses this time; they’ve had ample time to sign and replace, but they waited until the last minute as per for the cheap options and failed. I fear a season of discontent and change is ahead, all because they won’t spend a reasonable amount on strengthening the team, We’re not asking to bust the bank, but at least open the wallet and take a look!
Matt: The reason for the dissatisfaction at Celtic runs much deeper than football. For years now a gap has been forming between those that run the club and the support. There has been no attempt to bridge that gap. This is compounded by glib put-downs at the AGM aimed at the other side of the Old Firm. The intelligent Celtic supporters see what this is – just a way to distract by stoking the divide. It assumes we are stupid. We are not.
Joe: Usual stalling and indecisiveness by the board – same every year. Business should have been done several weeks ago. It’s cost them £40m-plus. No longer surprised, just disappointed again.
Cam: Celtic’s approach in the transfer window is “hit and hope” at times. The approach to bolster the squad lacks ambition throughout the window, when in reality it should be taking effect before the window even opens. The scope goes beyond the team and manager, it’s a club-wide issue.
Ed: The real shock for me here is the fans are surprised. This is history repeating itself. Yes, it’s a slightly worse case, but we all know this has happened before on a couple of occasions. Shameful at board level.
George: Brendan will definitely go, whether it’s now or at end of season. And nobody can blame him. The tight money-punchers of a board are letting the club down. They take all but give little, is the way it looks at moment. We pay big money for season tickets and have to sit and bare it.
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Gary: Embarrassing when a club the size of Celtic can’t keep hold of their best players. And, even worse, they can’t seem to replace them when they get sold on for profit. Lack of ambition at the top level and Brendan would be justified to leave his position this time.
James: Celtic have proven once again they are not a serious football club. I used to think it was because the board lacked ambition. More worryingly, it has become clear that they are also lacking the capability. Unfortunately, there will be no consequences. Nothing will change.
Charlie: Underwhelmed, disappointed, but not surprised. This is not progress, it’s not even consolidation.
James: I think supporters should be told why the club is in the position it is at the moment. Does Rodgers have full control of signings? And if so, he must be held to account and explain why his big signings have not produced. There has to be more transparency between the board, manager, players and supporters.
Gordy: There is only one word – appalling. We have had the whole summer to look for replacements for the players we knew were leaving. It leaves the club in a ridiculous situation, where we have a fantastic support base, a fantastic stadium, and bang average manager (for not pushing the board for what he knew he needed). The board and recruitment team are shameful for leaving us in this predicament.
Stephen: The recruitment team, and board, have massively let down everyone associated with the club. The decision to let Idah leave, after starting the day knowing we needed to add options up front, beggars belief and feels like self sabotage. Embarrassed and disappointed to be a Celtic fan.
Benny: Where do you start? Ineptitude? Unlucky? No, it’s mismanagement and arrogance from a board who have previous for this shambolic amateurism. The manager would be more than justified for walking away. Shameful and embarrassing are the only words to describe this window and others. I dread the Europa League upcoming ties with this squad.
Paul: We’re in the same position every year; craving reinforcements that are ready for the starting XI. Instead, we get loans, past-it pros, and project players. The board are an embarrassment. They continually favour a great bank balance at the expense of a decent squad.
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