The Hoops have been criticised for their work in the transfer market for the second window in a row
Chris Sutton argues that Brendan Rodgers bears equal responsibility for Celtic’s transfer market
missteps, pointing out that Ange Postecoglou had no trouble making transfers.
Much of the conversation in Scotland following the end of the January window on Thursday has
focused on the champions’ involvement—or lack thereof—in it. Adam Idah, who was having trouble
finding a game at Championship Norwich, joined on a deadline-day loan to compete with Kyogo
and Oh at centre striker, and was added as an additional option on the wing.
Supporters are worried that the manager hasn’t fully added the several quality recruits he said he
was looking for to bolster his team for the championship run-in. While acknowledging that they
could have been “braver” in the market, the guy has come off as unconcerned about it and says he’s
pleased with the players who were added.
Additionally, he defended the recruitment staff, saying that accusations against them are
unwarranted. Sutton concurs with him on that point, albeit in part because he believes the
Northern Irishman ought to bear some of the responsibility.
Although Rodgers has frequently emphasised the challenges of navigating the January window and
transfers in general, the analyst has drawn parallels with Postecoglou, who had a number of hits in
the transfer market and frequently performed well at the beginning of a window.
“The blame game is up and running at Celtic after a transfer window that promised much but failed
to deliver,” the hoops hero remarked in an interview with the Daily Record.
“In one regard, Brendan Rodgers is correct. Pointing fingers at Parkhead is pointless since everyone
bears some degree of responsibility. However, there are other aspects of Rodgers’ logic that I find
difficult to understand. He remarked that maybe Celtic need to have shown more guts in the
transfer window. Why weren’t they then, I would ask? It’s his responsibility to repair it, he adds.
That is one that truly eludes me. It wasn’t a broken system to begin with.
“Under Ange Postecoglou, we never heard a word about his struggles to sign players during the
previous two seasons. Not a word about how difficult it was to recruit first or improve quality.
Players prepared for the team. Whether it was Joe Hart, Kyogo, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota,
Josip Juranovic, Daizen Maeda, Matt O’Riley, or any other starter that was responsible for the
results, Celtic just went out and did it. However, it’s now become Mission Impossible in some way.
It’s just not logical.
“It makes sense why the supporters are growing impatient. If they thought the jeers after defeating
Ross County were terrible, they should wait to see what comes in store if things don’t go right over
the next few weeks.
“September 1st is when the January work was supposed to begin. On the last day instead, they were
scurrying around. It was he who claimed that this team was missing three or four excellent players.
Was that back in January? Everyone is aware of the response.
“You think back to Rodgers’ comeback last summer. Following Postecoglou’s departure, Celtic
made a serious declaration about their intention to elevate the team.
“Rodgers was cool while discussing record signings and other things, but a compromise is
necessary. Examine his net spend throughout the two windows to see if Celtic is making money. In
reality, he has more than balanced the books over seven transfer windows going back to his first
term. That lacks bravery. It’s absurd.”
He then went on to discuss potential blamees, saying, “The recruitment department has a lot to
answer for. Historically, Celtic has had a target list as long as your arm; if one doesn’t land, they go
on to the next. Is the list on the back of the couch missing?
“Humans are not stupid. It may be reasonable for supporters to criticise Peter Lawwell and his son
Mark for being the head of recruitment. As CEO, Michael Nicholson received praise under Ange,
but he is now going to face criticism. Rodgers, though, is equally at fault. The manager is ultimately
in charge of comings and goings, and he has the last say about moves.”
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