Celtic 25/26 Summer transfer window: Stage: Nicholson firing up the Fax Machine

The fact that neither Kenny nor Idah were in the squad today means Rodgers is confident there will be reinforcements and has okayed sales/loans.

 

Watching sky sports news and deals happening all over the place.

NEVER listen to the its hard to do deals narrative. Biggest lie ever told.

 

Dohlberg starting for Anderlecht, too.

 

Literally the same interview in the game before the window shuts every time now

 

Aye

 

He's not starting.

 

Anderlecht kick off at half 5 the team isn't out yet although Dolberg at the very least is in the squad

 

McGowan retweeted someome saying. 2nd bid rejected but third one to come.

 

We need 3 wingers minimum, it's suicidal wanting that Dolberg when we canny get a ball near the oppositions box.

 

There better be a Dolberg shaped prezzie under my Transfer Xmas Tree the morra....along with some other goodies (RW and RB fer starters).

but will no doubt get a pair of socks a, * tangerine and a selection box

 

Brendan talking about a few areas needing creativity and pace so hopefully three in?

 

After what they have witnessed from their team over the last couple of weeks, the last thing the Celtic support likely want to hear is that more of the same could be in the offing.

That was the warning though from manager Brendan Rodgers after another toothless display in the goalless draw against Rangers, unless the club deliver the players required to change the dynamic of his team in the pivotal final hours of the transfer window.


Having failed to score over two games and extra time against Kairat Almaty as they crashed out of the Champions League, the champions were again lacking in pace, craft and invention in the final third as they drew a blank at Ibrox.

Celtic registered the only two shots on target of the contest, speculative efforts from Reo Hatate and Kieran Tierney that were dealt with comfortably by Rangers keeper Jack Butland, but Rodgers cut a frustrated figure as he assessed the level of his side at present.

When asked why his team were lacking a spark, Rodgers said: “Because it is in the profile of player. I think I’m very clear on that.


As I said, we're getting lots of work, the guys are working well and working hard. And sometimes in teams when you don't quite have that feeling going into a game that you can score goals, like we were this period last year, where that was plentiful.

“So, the team then goes in with a different energy and a different feeling, which then sparks everything off and brings that energy and that real game attitude that you want. When you're lacking that, then that's sometimes what you get.

“You're not taking the risk. Of course, we're missing some players, but in the meantime, when you feel that your top end of the pitch and your front player can get your goals, then you get the ball through nice and quickly and that speed of it.

“That wasn't quite there today, we were a bit safe and playing sideways or backwards.

“That's not our idea of football. I don't think you go into a game as a Celtic manager and say pass the ball sideways or backwards. There's never been a plan for any offensive team or club.

“So no, it definitely wasn't a plan.”

Rodgers looked as puzzled as any Celtic fan as to why the club would have waited so long to strengthen the squad when they had known not only what was required months in advance, but also that they would have three huge fixtures to deal with before the transfer window shuts.

And he now admits that the next 24 hours will have a huge bearing on where Celtic can set their ambitions this season.

“I think it's very, very clear what it is we need,” he said.

“Hopefully, in this next 24 hours, we can do that. Because, like I say, that was a hard watch.

“I feel it is [a huge 24 hours]. I feel it is. It's been so clear what the team has needed and what's required.

“I really hope that in this period we can do that. Celtic's DNA is around about our attacking intent, mentality and that bit of quality. You arrive into the final third and you're creating chances.

“As I said, 12 months ago, the dynamism in the team, the speed and the creativity, everything was there. You feel you can go into games and be really dynamic and creative.

“That's what we all want to see. So, when it's a wee bit like that today, it's not a great one.

“Listen, we've had a bit of time. We've had a long time to reinforce the squad. I'm hopeful that we can do that and get over the line. Otherwise, the game is about the quality of your player. You can take the game to different levels based on your players.

“But it's still my responsibility to try and maximise what I can get out of the players that will be here. Hopefully, we can get that competition in the team and reinvigorate some of the players that have been here for a long time.

“When you've been here for four years, like Reo (Hatate) and Daizen (Maeda) and these guys, they need competition.”

Adam Idah’s proposed move to Swansea still wasn’t resolved by the time Rodgers spoke after the match at Ibrox, with the manager, again, appearing bemused by the situation.

“I've got no explanation for it,” he said.

“It's not Adam's fault, but hopefully that will be cleared up [soon].

“In terms of all of that, you just have to narrow in your focus on what you can control. Of course, it's not been ideal for Adam and for the club, but we still have to look beyond that.

“I haven't spoken to anyone [from the board] since we left yesterday. I've been in the hotel preparing for the game and obviously nothing today.

“I'll pretty much get an update where we're at once we leave here.”

 

Pace and creativity in a number of areas ......sounds like we are going to be busy .
2 strikers , 2 wingers , CM hopefully.

 

Got a feeling we're getting Ogbene from ipswich

 

Is today a bit of a warning then that unless the business is done in the next 24 hours, this is kind of what's going to be the fallback position?

Yeah, listen, we've had a period of time, so we've had a long time to reinforce the squad and listen, I'm hopeful that we can do that, and get it over the line.

The game is about the quality of your players. You can take the game to different levels based on your players. But it's my responsibility to try and maximise what I can get out of the players that will be here.

Hopefully, we can get that competition in the team and reinvigorate some of the players that have been here for a long time. Because, as you say, they've been here for four years, guys like Daizen (Maeda), they need competition.


Do you understand people being confused or surprised that you're in this position with only 24 hours of the window to go?

Yeah, but as I said, we can assess it at the end of the window.

I repeat again that every coach and manager wants the players in early to embed them in and adapt to the systems and styles, and get that profile of player that we need.

We're hopeful that we can do our work in this next period.






In terms of Adam, Brendan, fans are wondering why Adam was allowed to even travel to Swansea, not being in the matchday squad, without a replacement coming in. Can you understand their amusement or bemusement at that?

No, I've got no explanation for it. I think that it's not Adam's fault or anything.

Hopefully, that will be cleared up by today.

Do you expect him to still be a Celtic player come the end of the window tomorrow?

I don't know.

You said he wouldn't be allowed to leave unless you had those guarantees that he would be replaced. Have you had those guarantees yet that he would be replaced?

I haven't spoken to anyone since we left yesterday.

We left and have been in the hotel preparing for the game, and obviously, nothing today. So I'll pretty much get an update on where we're at once we leave here.

Is Kasper Dolberg a player who could potentially replace Adam if he is to leave?

There are lots of names that are out there.

So, I think from our perspective, we just need that quality and speed in the team and the creativity. That's key for us.

Is that the type of player, the profile of player you think that could do well at Celtic, someone like Kasper Dolberg?

I'm over 800 games in. I don't fall for them.

 

So just over a day left and we need - as a minimum - two wingers, two strikers and a midfielder.

Easy