‘Brendan Rodgers could quit Celtic after transfer window heartache’
Brendan Rodgers could be tempted to walk away from Celtic if he is not given the club’s full backing during the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Rodgers has grown frustrated with a perceived lack of support in the market.
The boss is keen to improve his current options while persuading his top players to stay after losing Kyogo Furuhashi in January and now potentially Nicolas Kuhn.
Brown told Football Insider on 24 June that Celtic are prepared to entertain offers for Kuhn and will accept bids of £20million amid interest from RB Leipzig.
Rodgers wants to improve his squad this summer to give them a chance of being competitive in Europe, and expects the board to lend him financial support.
This comes after Football Insider revealed in April that Rodgers will demand the Celtic board back him and could grow unhappy at Parkhead if they do not agree.
Brendan Rodgers makes Celtic demand after threat to quit
Brown told Football Insider in April that Rodgers could quit Celtic if offered the chance to return to England amid growing frustrations at Parkhead.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, warned that decision-markers at Parkhead may have become complacent while Rodgers remains ambitious.
“Celtic are the one club who can persuade top-class players to join,” he told Football Insider.
“But what they’ve also got to do, is persuade those top-class players to stay there long-term.
“It’s not always an easy task, and when you start losing some of your key players like the striker in January and now probably Kuhn, it’s hard to replace them.
“From what I hear, Brendan Rodgers has been left frustrated more than once.
“He doesn’t think he’s been giving the level of backing that he should be in the transfer market.
“He wants to be ambitious, not just in Scotland but in Europe too, he wants to strengthen his squad so that they stand a chance of competing.
“They’ve just finished 17 points ahead of Rangers, and I think they’ve got a bit complacent.
“There isn’t that desperation to improve the team and build on what they’ve got, because at the moment they’re computably ahead of everybody else in Scotland.
“They’re guaranteed trophies and Champions League football every year whether they spend big or not.
“That’s what has left Brendan frustrated, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he wanted to walk away.
“The board have to be careful they don’t mess it up, they need to be active and they need to back the manager to improve in the transfer window.”
Evan Ferguson update emerges at Parkhead
As part of their ambitious plans for the summer transfer window, Celtic have set their sights on a deal for Brighton star Evan Ferguson.
Brown told Football Insider on 23 June that Celtic are confident of beating Everton to Ferguson, with Nottingham Forest also keeping an eye on his situation.
The 20-year-old struggled on loan at West Ham in the second half of last season, but could be allowed to leave on another short-term deal to prove himself.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed on 20 June that Brighton have offered Ferguson to PSV, with the Dutch champions also interested in the deal.
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