By support

19th Jun, 2018 | 2:55pm

Rodgers and Celtic can't repeat previous transfer gambles as CL banana skins lie in wait

COMMENT

The nature of Celtic’s Champions League draw means that the Hoops will need to get a move on and bring in some more signings if they want to avoid the banana skins that lie in wait.

As announced on the official Champions League Twitter page, the Hoops will play Armenian Champions Alashkert in the first round of qualifiers and either Rosenborg or Valdur Reykjavik in the second leg.

In recent years the Hoops have gambled on making signings after they have qualified for the group stages of the Champions League – with another two rounds of qualifying to go they can’t afford to make that mistake again.

The tie against Alashkert could be difficult because of the lack of competitive football played and the heat, whilst the Hoops need no reminder of difficult a game against Rosenborg could be after last year’s tie between the teams.

Thankfully the Hoops look to be learning from the mistakes of previous seasons, as the signing of Odsonne Edouard proves.

Edouard will undeniably play a big part in the qualifiers, but the Hoops are in need of additional signings in defence especially.

Rodgers and the board must get the deals done as soon as possible so that the new players are bedded into the squad ahead of the games which will define the Hoops season, it would make reaching the group stages so much easier.

In other Celtic news, John Hartson has some career advice for Odsonne Edouard

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