Pre-season isn’t even over, and Celtic fans probably shouldn’t panic just yet—but Brendan Rodgers might already be getting a little twitchy.
It feels eerily familiar, like déjà vu from his first spell at the club.
You remember the Maryan Shved saga? The Ukrainian winger Rodgers didn’t want, barely played, and practically dismissed before he even unpacked his bags? That situation now feels a little too similar to some of this summer’s early signings.
Early Transfer Signs Hint at Confusion, Not Clarity
Rodgers has recently shared some vague—and at times, contradictory—thoughts about Celtic’s latest recruits.
Take Callum Osmand, signed from Fulham. When asked about him, Rodgers didn’t exactly sound thrilled.
He said the club would “have a look” and see what his development should be, which is another way of saying he’s not close to the first team.
Then there’s Hayato Inamura, a £250k signing from Albirex Niigata.
First, Rodgers said the Japanese defender wasn’t ready, hinting at a possible loan.
Then, after a single pre-season half against Cork City, suddenly he’d “surprised” the manager and was potentially in the mix. So, which is it?
Is Rodgers Still Calling the Shots?
This patchy communication raises a bigger question: is Brendan Rodgers truly in control of transfer strategy? You’d have thought the signings of Nicolas Kuhn, Adam Idah, and Arne Engels showed Rodgers was back steering the ship.
But these latest moves give the impression of a manager who’s working with players he didn’t specifically ask for.
Clear Demands, Unclear Delivery
At the end of last season, Rodgers was crystal clear about what he wanted: no complacency, fresh energy, and “two or three high-quality additions”—assuming key players stayed.
But so far, the window has been underwhelming.
Kuhn and Greg Taylor are gone, and interest is swirling around Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda.
The only truly notable new signing with a potential upside is Benjamin Nygren, brought in from Nordsjaelland for £2 million.
He’s already played for Sweden and might prove a smart buy.
The rest—Osmand, Inamura, and Ross Doohan—don’t exactly scream “Champions League upgrade.”
Even Doohan, despite earning a surprise Scotland cap, is far down the pecking order behind Schmeichel and Sinisalo.
More Incoming, But Are They Good Enough?
Another Japanese striker, Shin Yamada, is expected to arrive soon from Kawasaki Frontale for around £1.5 million.
There’s also talk of Michel-Ange Balikwisha from Royal Antwerp, though his price tag will be a step up.
The problem is, these players don’t appear to be the elite-level reinforcements Rodgers had in mind.
With fan patience running low, and the manager’s own words on record, the pressure to land a marquee signing is real—and rising.
January Lessons Still Linger
Remember January? Celtic sold Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes for £10 million without replacing him.
Rodgers admitted that wasn’t ideal and said outright that the squad felt “lighter.”
Now, it looks like history might repeat itself unless the club acts fast.
He’s already said he needs a new striker. He hasn’t got one.
And so far, none of the summer additions seem to meet the high standards he set out.
Investment Has Happened, But Returns Are Lacking
Big money—by Scottish standards—has been spent.
The likes of Engels, Idah, Trusty and Jota reportedly cost over £33 million.
But none have fully delivered yet. And now, there’s even more uncertainty around Rodgers’ future.
He’s hinted that this coming season, which will mark almost six years across his two spells at Celtic, might be his last.
Especially if he adds another title and leaves with his reputation repaired.
Celtic Have Cash, But Time Is Running Out
Celtic aren’t short on funds. They just landed £17 million from Como for Kuhn, got a windfall from Jeremie Frimpong’s move to Liverpool, and will earn again once Matt O’Riley joins Brighton.
So where’s the hesitation? There are no excuses.
If Rodgers doesn’t get the players he clearly wants—and needs—the risk grows that this season could unravel fast.
And just like with Maryan Shved, another poor window could spell the beginning of the end.
Rangers’ Goalkeeper Dilemma Heats Up as Martin Eyes Changes
Over at Ibrox, new Rangers boss Russell Martin is also making moves—especially at the back.
Known for his attacking mindset, he’s focused instead on tightening the defence, and top of his to-do list seems to be replacing Jack Butland.
Butland had a disappointing season, and his blunder in the 2024 Scottish Cup final against Celtic was tough to recover from.
He was eventually benched for Liam Kelly and even missed both legs of their Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao.
Butland’s Future Uncertain After Losing Fan and Club Support
The fans lost faith. Interim boss Barry Ferguson did too.
Even if Butland were to start next season, all it would take is one mistake for the crowd to turn. And that’s pressure Martin simply can’t afford early on.
His former goalkeeper Laurie Walker has said that Martin prefers a keeper who can almost act as a third centre-back—confident with the ball and calm under pressure.
That’s not Butland’s strong suit, which explains reports linking Rangers with Carl Rushworth from Brighton.
Missed Opportunities and What Comes Next
Looking back, turning down a £5 million offer from Nottingham Forest 18 months ago now looks like a serious misstep for Rangers.
But Butland still has two years left on his deal and could still fetch a decent fee.
That money, plus the wages freed up, could then go toward Rangers’ next major need—a proper striker, especially if Hamza Igamane is sold.
Danilo scored in a bounce match against Barnsley, and Cyriel Dessers’ move to AEK Athens has gone quiet.
But it’s clear neither striker is seen as the long-term answer.
