Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will be keen to build on winning a domestic double during his second term back in charge at Parkhead.
Recruitment and deciding on the future of fringe players are both set to be high on his priority list once the transfer window opens; in turn, movement in both directions ahead of the new campaign is expected.
Supplementing the squad is important as Rodgers prepares to lead Celtic on all fronts. He will need to enact a juggling act between domestic endeavours and Champions League action to achieve further success.
Outsourcing talent takes precedence most of the time as the reigning Scottish Premiership champions chase glory; however, from his own words, there could be another prophecy the Irishman may be set to fulfil next term.
Brendan Rodgers on promoting academy products at Celtic
Back in March, Rodgers outlined a vision at Celtic centred around making space for academy players to make the jump and develop into senior stars at Parkhead, referencing the process as something that will be a ‘key point’ of his second spell in Glasgow.
He explained: “My life has always been about bringing young players through. We have got some really good talented players. We have to create a pathway for them; that is the biggest thing. That is a real challenge at a big club, but I inherently believe in young players.
“You might not have a team full of them, but you certainly need to have those home-grown players coming through. If there is not a pathway they end up looking elsewhere. That is why I talk about minimising my squad so that your football strategy really becomes top, high-potential young players.
The Irishman added: “You see the likes of Danny Kelly and Rocco Vata. Rocco hasn’t had a lot of opportunity, but at least he is now training with us every day, he is in the squad and he is showing up so, so well. I am sure there will be other players who will come through. That is the key point of my time here.”
Celtic have to maximise their internal talent pool
Rodgers is right; if there isn’t room for prodigies to blossom at Celtic, they will go elsewhere to do so, which is a theme that has carried over recent years.
Between them, for example, Daniel Kelly and Rocco Vata made eight appearances between them in 2023/24, albeit neither has started a senior game for the club [Transfermarkt]. Nevertheless, both netted their first goals against Dundee and Buckie Thistle, respectively, illustrating some small integration steps have already been made by the manager.
If the club can sort their futures out, with the pair still yet to sign new deals, who is to say they can’t go on and become valuable squad assets in 2024/25?
Bosun Lawal and Matthew Anderson are also due to return from impressive loan spells after spending time in the B Team. Pre-season is set to be an intriguing time, and there is every chance Rodgers could deliver on his promise.