Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will be keen to kickstart the transfer window with some exciting additions at Parkhead.
There is anticipation among the Parkhead faithful as the Irishman looks to recruit in key positions; however, with the market not set to open until later this week, it is important to remember that speculation doesn’t always translate to concrete developments.
Nevertheless, Celtic know they have to be competent on this front to juggle the new format of the Champions League with domestic endeavours, and there isn’t any margin for error when you are aiming to compete with the elite.
With that in mind, there is a transfer misstep the reigning Scottish Premiership champions cannot afford to make heading into the 2024/25.
Celtic and the suitability of new arrivals at Parkhead
Before I kick off, this isn’t aimed at Gustaf Lagerbielke as a player himself, but at his lack of playing time since becoming a summer arrival that has severely limited his impact at Parkhead, for whatever reason.
Signed from Elfsborg for £3 million in 2023, there were high hopes for the Sweden international at Celtic as the club looked to replace Carl Starfelt, who completed a move to La Liga outfit Celta Vigo.
Despite starting the Bhoys’ first five league matches of 2023/24, recording four clean sheets, the 24-year-old went on to make just ten appearances overall while regularly being absent from matchday squads [Transfermarkt].
Reading between the lines, it became apparent very quickly that Lagerbielke wasn’t viewed as a part of the furniture in Glasgow’s east end, leading to Celtic being open to offloading the defender in the January transfer window.
Late on, Lecce tried and failed to land his services. With a deadlock that couldn’t be broken, he remained a spare part at Lennoxtown in a situation that wasn’t ideal for any party involved.
Now, the Serie A outfit have returned to the table keen to do a deal alongside Serie B side Frosinone, and a switch to either could be the ideal tonic for Lagerbielke to get back playing regular football, cited via Football Scotland.
One of these options may well come to fruition; nevertheless, Celtic can’t afford to spend £3 million on a player who is barely given a chance to contribute.
It is unclear what prompted Lagerbielke’s prolonged absence despite being available to play. I’m not being negative; it just seems like something went wrong somewhere along the line in the recruitment process that created an uncomfortable predicament for the Swede, who has shown remarkable professionalism through it all.
Either way, there needs to be a firmer approach to the market this summer to avoid scenarios like this. Celtic are financially capable, but in the past, they have been culpable of not seeing an adequate return on their investment in some of the playing squad. Hopefully, this can be rectified in the coming months.