Harri Burton

Tue 15 April 2025 17:42, UK

Brendan Rodgers has been tipped to splash the cash this summer after permanent deals for Adam Idah and Arne Engels backfired for Celtic.

The latter started the season brightly, having arrived from Augsburg for £11million last summer [Sky Sports], but he has certainly failed to fill the spot left vacant by Matt O’Reilly’s move to Brighton.

With nine goals and five assists in the Scottish Premiership, there are some positive signs for Rodgers to work with, but it is Idah that has been the biggest letdown since arriving at Celtic.

While the centre-forward has 14 goals to his name in all competitions, only six of them have come as a starter in the Hoops’ team, coming off the bench for 14 of his 30 Scottish Premiership appearances.

Given the team’s dominance in Scottish football, it is hardly surprising to see their records shoot up despite having a poor campaign, but it is often the big games that saw them disappear, especially Idah.

Now, after Rodgers stated that “change is needed” in Celtic’s squad, with the backing of former Hoops star Stiliyan Petrov, Tam McManus believes another £40m could be needed, and so too better signings than Engels and Idah.

Brenden Rodgers to splash the cash already to replace Idah and Engels

Speaking via PLZ Soccer’s The Football Show (14 April), McManus said: “Stiliyan Petrov is being clever by challenging the board. He’s [Rodgers] going to need another £30m/£40m in terms of improving the squad to reach the same level in the Champions League.

“For Celtic to go and do it again, Rodgers needs to strengthen the squad. Watching Adam Idah at the weekend, he doesn’t look like the same player – I don’t know if it’s confidence.

“Engels is still yet to convince me, in terms of £11million? Maybe he’ll be better with a season under his belt, but those guys have to be standouts for that type of money, and they haven’t done that.”

Celtic could lose Brendan Rodgers again without cash injection

Football Insider verdict

Unless the board choose to back their manager, Rodgers could be tempted by another Celtic exit, but given what the team has achieved this season, fans would be crushed once again.

His decision to leave Celtic Park and join Leicester City in 2019 was frowned upon, with many fans struggling to welcome him back two summers ago, but he has proven he still has what it takes to lead the team forward.

The Hoops have left their Old Firm rivals, Rangers, in the dust in the Scottish Premiership table, currently sitting 15 points clear of second place, and were extremely unlucky not to advance in the Champions League.

If Celtic are to recreate the campaign next season, and reach even further than the round of 32, the manager will need backing to the hilt or the club will run the risk of having to find a new manager.

Ally McCoist told Football Insider that Rodgers could be tempted by another Celtic exit, but if another £40m is invested into the squad this summer, his chances are leaving would diminish hugely.