Celtic board make January transfer plan after fan protests as Brendan Rodgers steps in
Celtic fans have been displeased with the current ownership of the club after arranging to boycott some of their upcoming matches.
Despite sitting top of the Scottish Premiership, sources told Football Insider that Brendan Rodgers’ future at Celtic remains uncertain.
Football Insider revealed that Rodgers could be reunited with Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling at Celtic with the manager frustrated with the club’s summer transfer business.
Fans have shared in the Northern Irishman’s exasperation as Celtic try to hold on to Alistair Johnston who is eager to head to the Premier League.
Celtic board remain firm as Brendan Rodgers pleads with fans to back down
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Hoops hierarchy intends to stick to the their guns and not be rash in the January transfer window.
This comes following fan discontent over the club’s poor transfer business with Rodgers asking that the Bhoys’ upcoming protests against Braga on 2 October is put on hold (The Scottish Sun).
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast on how the proposed demonstrations could affect the board, I explained: “I don’t think it’ll have any effect at all on the Celtic board whatsoever despite these ongoing protests.
“I don’t think they’ll be forced into dipping into their pockets in January just to ease and appease the fans.
“Obviously we know the fans are very unhappy with Celtics transfer business in the summer. They sold Adam Idah without bringing in a replacement, they sold Kyogo [Furuhashi] in the previous January window without bringing in a replacement as well.
“And then obviously the failure to qualify for the Champions League was a huge blow to the club and the fans as well.
“The fans have not been happy with how things are going on off the field as well. So, but look, the board have shown that they just won’t flitter money away easily.
“They will only make signs if they feel they will add to the squad and improve things for Brendan Rodgers side as well.”
Rodgers touted for Premier League return as Celtic board need to be cautious
Sources told Football Insider on 14 September that Rodgers is being monitored by Premier League and European clubs.
The former Leicester City boss’ contract expires at the end of this season with clubs vying for his signature should he leave Glasgow.
The Hoops hierarchy needs to be careful how they manage the Northern Irishman as a lack of recruitment in January could see the end of the manager’s time at the club.
A return to the English top-flight cannot be ruled out with West Ham, Wolves and Brentford all in precarious positions under underperforming head coaches.