Celtic had an Annual General Meeting this Wednesday, and Peter Lawwell gave a clear indication that the Hoops would look to strengthen in January. Evening Times journalist Alison McConnell who was present at the event confirmed via her personal Twitter account that Rodgers is likely to be backed in the transfer market.
As quoted by McConnell, Lawwell said, ”Market is difficult. All frustrated after summer window. We want to invest, there’s money to invest, we’ll look to do that in Jan.” Rumours were also doing the rounds that Lawwell doesn’t share the best of relationship with Brendan Rodgers but they are rumours for a reason, and the Chief Executive had some great words to say for the Northern Irish manager.
As quoted by the Daily Record, he said,”We have had great many managers but none able to do what Brendan has been able to. We’re in great shape – most profit through selling players. All CL money is going back into the club. Looking to invest cash into squad. We brought in a number of players – says Edouard cost 10 million.”
Like Lawwell, all the fans also share similar sentiments about the summer window as quite a few players went away from the Bhoys’ grasp. They also lost their talismanic forward Moussa Dembele on the final day of the transfer window and we can expect some investments to be made in January after the CEO confirmed that the club is in good shape financially.
There are quite a few areas where the club might look to concentrate upon. The immediate concern should be that of a defender as both Filip Benkovic and Dedryck Boyata can move away in January. The duo have formed a formidable partnership when they have started together, and the club fans and the manager would hope that they continue playing for Celtic as long as they can. Nevertheless, a centre-half should be on the shopping list.
Apart from that, Celtic should also look for a right back as Mikael Lustig has been vulnerable and one of the weak points in Celtic’s defence and the Swede’s contract is expiring next summer. Cristian Gamboa who is the other right back, his contract is also expiring in the 2019 summer. Therefore, a fullback should be a priority for the club. Along with that a striker to replace Dembele should also be thought about come January.
The Bhoys were after John McGinn in the summer but the emergence of Ryan Christie has probably saved the clubs a few million, and even though the likes of Olivier Ntcham and Scott Brown have been injured recently, Rodgers’ side coped up well to that situation.
January is often a tough period to sign players as most clubs don’t want their players to leave mid-season. The Hoops could probably find it tough to bring in players but as Lawwell indicated it’s not going to be because of lack of trying or funds.
