Celtic’s sheer dominance in Scottish football might finally be challenged in the upcoming term following the resurgence of Rangers who seem rejuvenated and upbeat under Steven Gerrard shaking off the shambles of recent past. The former Liverpool and England midfield icon has already used his contacts and influence to strengthen the Gers with a view to putting an end to his former boss Brendan Rodgers’ highly successful regime since moving to Parkhead a couple of years back.
The Northern Irishman has conquered a ‘double treble’ in his two-year-stint but is now all set to rival Gerrard who spent the final years of an illustrious Liverpool realm under his sincere guidance. Although Gerrard has completed an array of new signings already, the Hoops, on contrary, are extremely quiet so far and have not done anything significant except tying down Scott Bain and Odsonne Edouard on permanent deals.
Bain completed a Bosman move from Dundee but Edouard, the French youth international from the Paris Saint-Germain Academy, became Celtic’s club-record signing when he penned a long-term contract following a successful loan stint at Celtic Park. They have been linked to several other names so far but none has been confirmed yet and the latest rumours regarding wantaway Liverpool striker Danny Ings have been turned down by Rodgers himself.
Ings, 25, had a blistering start to his Liverpool career under Rodgers with three goals in his first few games but suffered a major knee injury during Jurgen Klopp’s first training session at Merseyside. It almost ruined his entire season and despite coming back next term, the Englishman went through yet another injury woe, this time on his right knee.
Ings slowly regained his fitness last season but slipped down the pecking order behind Roberto Firmino and youngster, Dominic Solanke. He scored his first goal back in April against West Brom after more than two and a half years of misery and was applauded by Klopp for his diligence, honesty and spirit. He is a popular figure at Anfield and also rated highly by Klopp, but the uncertainty over regular minutes is forcing the former Burnley man to seek a new start elsewhere amid interest from home as well as abroad.
Rodgers, who brought Ings to Liverpool, was thought to be the one who wants a reunion, but the gaffer has played down the talks despite praising his quality and excellence as a centre-forward. In a recent interview, the Bhoys boss was quoted to have said, “Danny is a fantastic player and has been really, really unfortunate for a few years with injury but I have got the three strikers at the moment and we don’t need any more”.
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Rodgers indeed have a case here for his lack of transfer activity as he already got enough covers in each slot. The Hoops have tied down permanently despite having Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths already in their ranks. All have proved their worth time and again and impressed enough to be considered as the first-team grade. Celtic, therefore, have already got enough competition up top and ruling out a move for Danny Ings has to be the correct call. They might need to strengthen their defensive line, and an investment in other areas will be wiser over completing a luxury signing.
