Celtic have drawn up big January signings plan – Keith Wyness
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Celtic will have drawn up big transfer plans for January as Brendan Rodgers “deserves to be backed”.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Aberdeen between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed the Hoops would not be “gambling” by spending big due to their “enviable” financial position.
Celtic’s 2023-24 accounts (16 September) showed their year-end cash rose from £72.3million in 2022-23 to £77.2million last season.
The Hoops also sold Matt O’Riley to Brighton in the most recent summer window for a reported fee of £25million.
On the pitch, Rodgers’ side are nine points clear in the Scottish Premiership and are well-placed to progress to a knockout playoff in the Champions League.
Rodgers ‘deserves to be backed’ at Celtic, says Wyness
Wyness insisted Celtic will have identified their top targets for January with Europe now the main focus.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It’s self-evident they need to strengthen the squad.
“Rodgers’ biggest stick will be the European adventure. The squad will need to be strengthened for that.
“Celtic are romping away with the league, and Europe is now the main focus.
“You know by now that they’ll have selected targets. There won’t be any last-minute decisions, it’ll have been planned.
“Celtic are in an enviable position because they have money in the bank.
“They’re not gambling anything, or borrowing money to try and go further in Europe.
“They can make a calculation at the revenue they stand to gain, so it’s a measured gamble – and nowhere near as risky.
“I think Rodgers deserves to be backed. They had a good start in Europe, so Celtic should spend and invest that money in the bank back into the squad.”
In other news, Kieran Tierney opens door for sensational Celtic return.
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