Celtic's title defence: Are they equipped for battles on all fronts?
Celtic begin their Scottish Premiership defence while preparing for a crucial Champions League qualifier, amid calls from Brendan Rodgers and fans for reinforcements in the transfer market.
Celtic kick off their Scottish Premiership title defence on Sunday while gearing up for a decisive Champions League play-off, and manager Brendan Rodgers admits there are clear gaps in his squad.
After challenging Bayern Munich for a place in last season’s Champions League round of 16, Celtic must balance domestic ambitions with European progression. A play-off in under a month will determine their presence at the top level of European football.
Rodgers’ Second Spell
Since his return in 2021, Rodgers has secured two league and cup doubles, but he has emphasised the need to evolve in Europe. With his contract entering its final year, the Northern Irish coach insists he won’t remain if the team merely treads water.
Transfer Window Challenges
Key departures such as Nicolas Kuhn and the long-term injury to Jota have exposed a lack of natural wingers, while Kyogo Furuhashi’s January exit left a void at centre-forward. Fans and Rodgers alike are calling for quality signings to address these weaknesses.
Recruitment Strategy Under Scrutiny
Celtic’s model of developing and selling talent yielded profits on players like Matt O’Riley, Jota and Kuhn, and last summer’s big signings—Arne Engels and Adam Idah—could yet prove astute. However, recent acquisitions have not all made the grade, prompting supporters to question spending restraint.
Looking Ahead
Rodgers expects his squad to be stronger by the end of August, but the coming weeks will test whether Celtic can reinforce sufficiently to defend their domestic crown and push further in Europe.
Celtic face a pivotal transfer window as they defend their domestic crown and target Champions League progress, with Brendan Rodgers demanding quality reinforcements.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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