Celtic’s journey in Europe has had its highs and lows, but recent performances have sparked optimism for the club’s future.
Brendan Rodgers, now back in charge, has shown he can bring the team closer to the European elite.
The 95 minutes in Munich in February were a perfect example of this potential, as Celtic fought hard against Bayern Munich, even leading 1-0 late into injury time.
Had fate been kinder, Celtic could have secured a place in the Champions League’s last 16.
Despite that heartbreaking late goal, Rodgers’ side showcased their ability to compete at the highest level.
This was evident during the exciting, back-and-forth game, where Celtic created plenty of opportunities and played with the kind of spirit that many thought had been lost.
However, with Celtic making it to the playoffs, it became clear that this was only the beginning.
They now need to push harder to truly make their mark in European football.
Rodgers Needs a Real Transfer Budget to Take Celtic Forward
To take the next step in Celtic’s European ambitions, Rodgers needs more financial backing.
The club has the funds, but the question remains: Can Rodgers be trusted to spend it wisely? There’s no doubt that Celtic is in a strong financial position, and this summer might be the perfect time to invest heavily in reinforcements.
However, history tells a mixed story when it comes to Rodgers’ spending.
When Rodgers first arrived at Celtic in 2023, he made several signings, including Odin Thiago Holm, Luis Palma, and Gustaf Lagerbielke, but it was clear he wasn’t fully in control of the club’s recruitment. Fast forward to today, and things are different.
With Paul Tisdale now working alongside him in recruitment, Rodgers has more say in the transfer decisions.
But with that responsibility comes the pressure to spend wisely, and some recent signings have raised eyebrows.
Mixed Results from Recent Big Money Signings
One of the most notable signings in Rodgers’ second stint at Celtic was Adam Idah, who joined from Norwich City for £8.5 million.
The Irish striker, who came in on loan and then secured a permanent deal, has yet to justify that hefty fee.
After spending most of the season as backup to Kyogo Furuhashi, Idah was expected to step up after the departure of the Japanese forward.
Unfortunately, his performances have been underwhelming, with some lackluster outings leading to a loss of confidence and a growing sense of frustration.
Similarly, midfielder Arne Engels, who arrived for £11 million, has struggled to make the expected impact.
Although he has shown glimpses of talent, he has not yet proven himself worthy of his price tag.
Like Idah, Engels has found himself overshadowed by other players, and it’s tough to ignore the growing concern over his ability to live up to expectations.
Auston Trusty, signed for £5.5 million, hasn’t had a major impact either, but at least his performances haven’t been disastrous.
Altogether, Rodgers has spent nearly £27 million on these three players, and while none can be labeled complete failures, they haven’t exactly set the world alight.
Celtic’s Recruitment Strategy Faces Scrutiny
Rodgers’ first stint at Celtic was marked by a few successes, including the signings of Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair, but there were also some significant flops.
Players like Olivier Ntcham and Eboue Kouassi failed to live up to their potential, and the squad began to fill up with players who didn’t quite fit the bill.
His time at Liverpool also featured some mixed results in the transfer market, though he was often working under the guidance of a transfer committee.
At Leicester City, Rodgers had more control over signings, with notable successes like Youri Tielemans and Wesley Fofana, but also several misfires, including Dennis Praet and Ayoze Perez.
This mixed record means that when Celtic splash big sums, they have to be cautious.
Celtic’s Future Strategy: More Investment or Rely on Young Talent?
The question now is whether Celtic should continue to spend big on established players or return to their previous strategy of developing young talents and selling them for a profit.
The signings of Jota for £8 million and the possibility of bringing Kieran Tierney back on a free transfer suggest that Celtic may be looking at a different approach.
With the competition from Rangers potentially improving, Celtic needs to take bold steps, and Rodgers believes he needs serious funds to make that happen.
The pressure is on Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson to provide Rodgers with the financial backing he needs.
Given the current state of the transfer market and the club’s ambition to re-establish themselves at the top level in Europe, there’s little room for hesitation.
The big question remains whether Rodgers can be trusted with the funds to make a real difference.