Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will be delighted with his side’s victory over Rangers this weekend, though he will also be monitoring potential summer arrivals.
The Bhoys now need just a single point before they are crowned Scottish Premiership champions, which would open up the financial riches automatic entry to the Champions League group stages provides.
Joe Hart was an emotional presence at full-time after Celtic put Rangers to the sword, thumping his chest several times during the players’ post-match lap of honour as he prepares to retire from football.
Replacing the former England international is high on Rodgers’ agenda. According to various reports, Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly and Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson have been mentioned among potential targets; however, it is unclear whether there is anything concrete to either story.
Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah still appear to be two unresolved cases at Parkhead, with their loan deals soon coming to an end; meanwhile, Queens Park Rangers defender Jake Clarke-Salter could cost in the region of £7 million if Celtic press ahead with a swoop for the Chelsea youth product.
Summer is always an exciting period for supporters, as potential additions are scoped out and enter the ether before fans spend hours assessing their suitability on YouTube and other platforms; nevertheless, the Hoops support will be expectant once the window opens for business.
John Hartson thinks Celtic need to ‘help’ Rodgers this summer
There has been a lot of anticipation that Celtic may spend a considerable chunk of their cash reserves this summer in light of a patchy recent recruitment record at the reigning Scottish Premiership champions.
Former Hoops striker John Hartson agrees with this sentiment, indicating the club’s hierarchy may need to ‘help’ Rodgers in the window by answering his repeated cries for ‘quality’ additions to walk through the Parkhead entrance while also admitting some key players could leave.
The Welshman stated [Go Radio Football Show]: “Celtic have always done that. If they get £20 million for Matt O’Riley or Carter-Vickers or any one of the other players, I think Celtic are in a position where they let players go, and they rebuild again and get the right players in to replace those ones.
“We saw Jota go last season, and we’ve seen Kieran Tierney move a couple of years ago; if the offers come in for players, I don’t think Celtic have ever been in a position or wanted to stop players from going.
“I think Brendan Rodgers will need a little bit of help, especially going into the Champions League. What a boost that is as well, financially and obviously, playing at that level. Celtic will need help; they’ll need some quality players in certain positions. That is a job for the manager.
“He’ll have a rest, he’ll put his feet up in the summer and no doubt about it, they’ll come back, and they’ll want to be champions again next season.”
Celtic to focus on clinching title glory before summer plans begin
In an ideal world, Celtic would already have their entire summer mapped out and new players ready to arrive for pre-season; however, the transfer window is like a game of chess and depends on many moving parts.
For now, clinching the Scottish Premiership title will take priority for Rodgers ahead of the Scottish Cup final later in the month against Rangers, which could see a potential domestic double head back to Parkhead.
The Irishman looks set to enjoy a successful first season back in the dugout, and significant changes will undoubtedly be underway once the transfer window commences.
