The upcoming Celtic transfer window could and should be one of the biggest in the club’s history.
After beating Rangers on Saturday, Celtic are on the brink of securing their third Scottish Premiership title in a row. With it will come automatic qualification the next season’s UEFA Champions League group stage.
As we discussed last week, Celtic earned over £30m from the Champions League in UEFA payments alone this term. That’s before taking into account extra ticket sales and commercial revenue.
There’ll be up to a 21% increase in payments for next year’s expanded tournament and even more ticket income given there are now eight group matches. It means Celtic could rake in over £40m as a direct result of becoming champions again.
For pundit Michael Stewart, it’s the perfect time for the Bhoys to show a bit more ambition in the transfer market. He reckons that could pay off with some special European memories.
Celtic have the ‘money in the bank’ to go big
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland after Celtic were triumphant in Saturday’s derby, Stewart said: “This is a big win and a big championship win because of the journey they’ve been on this season. If you rewind 12 months to when Brendan Rodgers came in, the same thing applies. They need to go big with additions to the squad if they’ve got a hope of making an impact in Europe.
“They’ve got a brilliant manager in charge so they’ve got a great opportunity to actually go and implement something that is memorable. As much as it’s brilliant winning the league, their bread and butter, Celtic are at the stage where they really need to go and try and make a fist of things in Europe.
“I know it’s not easy but there’s a decision to be made there. They’ve got money in the bank and the ability to take a gamble. If it doesn’t pay off it won’t be disastrous. They’ve got a manager they can rely on – go and give him the players he can mould into a team that can make a real impression in Europe. It needs to be spent wisely. It’s not as if Celtic haven’t spent money – it hasn’t been spent wisely.”
What Celtic need in the transfer market
Discussing what Rodgers needs to do with the team alongside Pat Bonner and the rest of the Sportsound panel, Stewart surmised that the Bhoys need at least four quality additions to the first team.
The former Hearts and Hibs man said: “Realistically, if you look at that Celtic team they need to replace the goalkeeper because Joe Hart is retiring. They need a centre half that improves the starting eleven. Liam Scales is dependable and is worth having in the squad – if you want to pick your strongest eleven and make a dent on Europe you need to improve that position.
“You look at the rest of the team, they need two wingers. Then you can start looking at where else you can add strength and depth.”
After a lacklustre window in the summer of 2023 and in January, plenty of Celtic fans will certainly agree with what Stewart is saying about the club’s need to push on.
Changes have been made since January. Head of recruitment Mark Lawwell left the club, as did scout Joe Dudgeon. So far we know that a man Rodgers rates, Mark Cooper, is taking up a scouting role.
It remains to be seen how effective Celtic’s summer is but there is a lot of work to do and huge resources to take advantage of. It’s on the club to get it right.