Celtic’s wobbly window proves a source of intrigue before Bayern battle | Celtic

If Celtic’s aspirations centred on Scottish football, the demolition of Dundee within 48 hours of the transfer window closing would have proved a useful antidote. By the conclusion of that 6-0 victory, Celtic were 13 points and 29 goals ahead of their closest challengers in the Scottish Premiership. Brendan Rodgers could field Rab C Nesbitt up front for the remainder of the season and Celtic would romp to a successful title defence.

It was matters of a striking order, combined with a bigger picture, that triggered the Celtic support as the window shut. It also tickled those anxious to see Scotland’s dominant force knocked off their pedestal (good luck there). Rodgers exaggerated in describing Kyogo Furuhashi as a “legendary” Celtic forward but the fact remains he was an excellent one, a certain starter when fit and a player who made clear months ago he wanted to depart.

More than once, Rodgers spoke of planning around Furuhashi’s eventual transfer to Rennes that, it felt safe to assume, meant Celtic had a replacement lined up. As the minutes ticked down, it became plain there would be no such addition. Cue much wailing and gnashing of teeth, a scenario amplified by widespread knowledge that Celtic have tens of millions slushing around in the bank.

Given events of the past, plus supposed ambition for the future, this became an immediate source of intrigue. Rodgers publicly took issue with Celtic’s transfer policy long before setting sail for Leicester in 2019. “I’m here to enjoy my time at Celtic, not to fall out with anyone,” said Rodgers shortly before the latest window closed. The inference was that he could if he really wanted to. Immediately before Dundee, Rodgers said: “I think as a collective, it wasn’t ideal how it [the window] ended for us.” Rodgers reaffirmed that he had wanted a striker.

No one need worry that January failings will trigger another Rodgers tantrum. That is the case essentially because he did it before. Rodgers was stung by vehement – and over the top – criticism of his move to Leicester. Leaving on bad terms a second time would cause a level of trauma Rodgers can do without. He returned to Celtic with complete knowledge of how the club operates. Term two will not end in acrimony. Rodgers is in good transfer window company; Mikel Arteta expressed disappointment at Arsenal’s failure to sign a striker.

There are, however, shades of grey. Negativity is not entirely misplaced. Rodgers has raised the on-field bar by overseeing progression to the playoff round of the Champions League. Although a harsh reality may be that Celtic could loan in Robert Lewandowski for a fortnight and still lose comfortably to Bayern Munich, the sense of throwing up a white flag before that tie is damaging. Supporters can watch matters play out in Munich after Uefa showed clemency in respect of a firework tossed on to the pitch at Villa Park.

The likelihood is Celtic will require a qualifier before returning to the Champions League next season. In the summer window, time will be against them to source the new Kyogo. Rodgers emphasising the “collective” is no accident. The manager has been empowered in recruitment terms, including with the hiring of Paul Tisdale as the head of football operations. What the “football doctor” knows about purchasing players at Celtic’s level is open to question given a managerial career involving Exeter, MK Dons, Bristol Rovers and Stevenage.

No one knows the precise position of Michael Nicholson, the chief executive, owing to his astonishing lack of public profile. Nicholson makes hermits look like headline-grabbers.

Celtic have two players, Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda, capable of playing to an adequate level as centre-forward. Idah’s arrival last summer as part of a £30m spend – Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo and Auston Trusty joined him – belies the sense of a penny-pinching board. Until Idah’s recent burst of form, that quartet had not made a strong enough contribution to the Celtic starting XI.

This situation appears to be less about the desire to spend money than the process of identifying and securing the right player. If there is a financial question, it surrounds unwillingness to raise the top wage level closer to £50,000 a week than £40,000. Conservative directors will ask, and not unreasonably, what inflation is needed when they are in a different economic stratosphere to all domestic opposition. The unwillingness of Rodgers to field academy players for a sensible period of time with such leeway at home should also offset any sympathy for a manager denied marquee purchases.

A Rangers trouncing of Celtic at Ibrox at new year, coupled with the necessity for penalty kicks for Rodgers’ team to beat their old adversaries in the League Cup final, fuels the notion of complacency in Glasgow’s green half. Rangers can cling to that. Celtic are in the position where they can afford transfer window slip-ups. If Rodgers is pushing for better, perhaps that is hugely positive in itself.