The dust has now settled on the summer transfer window, and even then, it is hard to make sense of what we witnessed. Celtic have left themselves significantly weaker, with key players leaving and once again, not being replaced. Now, it is up to Brendan Rodgers to find a way to get the best out of the squad available to him, an unenviable task to say the least.
Celtic's transfer strategy over the course of the summer made very little sense. Especially on deadline day, when they allowed Adam Idah to leave without bringing in a replacement, exactly what Rodgers had said would not be happening.
Ultimately, a striker was signed, as Kelechi Iheanacho was brought in as a free agent after the close of the summer transfer window. That was a consolation signing if that, with the Nigerian completely out of form for the past several years.
On the other hand, it looks like the situation behind the scenes at Celtic are concerning. As reported by The Scottish Sun, one source said:
"Senior figures inside the club believe Rodgers is engineering his exit.
“What he’s said in public has torn the club apart. On and off the record discussions are creating division throughout the club.
“He’s the only manager in the club’s history who has repeatedly questioned things.
“It’s been the same board, same management and same strategy.
“The club have spent tens of millions.
“When Brendan came back, he agreed to the club’s strategy.
“There are now people inside the club who are deeply unhappy with his words."
Concerning behind-the-scenes claim made about Celtic
Well, it is hard to imagine that Rodgers agreed to whatever the strategy was this summer, before coming back. And, yes, there have been tens of millions put into the squad, but significantly more than that has been brought in just through transfers.
Just look at this summer for example. Nicolas Kuhn left for Como FC for a transfer fee believed to be in the region of €19 million. Idah headed to Swansea for a package around £7 million. Then they received a significant sell-on fee from Jeremie Frimpong's move to Liverpool.
Was a similar type of money reinvested into the squad? No. So, it is hard to claim that tens of millions have been spent.
Whatever may be the case, it is pretty clear that things are not working at the moment. Expect Rodgers to leave next summer.