The Hoops boss is desperately seeking reinforcements as the clock ticks towards flag day next weekend
22:30, 23 Jul 2025Updated 08:18, 24 Jul 2025
Brendan Rodgers insists he is in charge of ALL Celtic signings – and told fans he understands the punters itching for more new arrivals, writes Michael Gannon in Italy.
The Hoops boss is chasing targets to strengthen his first team and knows the clock is ticking towards the start of the new Premiership season.
But Rodgers also shot down suggestions of a difference between club signings and his own top targets.
The Irishman described new recruits Hayato Inamura and Shin Yamada as part of the club’s long term strategy, along with youngster Callum Osmand.
But Rodgers is adamant he has the full final say over any players coming in while underlining his desire to land first-team-ready stars.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers(Image: Getty Images)
He said: “It’s pretty straightforward. There will be players within our recruitment team that are not just for now but for the future.
“Clearly, I will look at those players and assess, and see if those players can come in and play. Then there will be other players we specifically need. It’s still very much joined up.
“I suppose it’s more around whether the players are for now or later. People know the model over a number of years. There are players who come in who are maybe not expected to hit the ground running, but some of them do.
“That’s what I need to assess, those guys coming in. But I also need to win now, and we need to get those players in. Either way, I will be responsible for that.
“Club signings, with the greatest respect, I don’t care where they come (from), I just need good players in the building who can help us win today, tomorrow and the next week.
“I’ve always developed players in my career, so I respect that side of it, but also the need for the present.”
Rodgers can understand fans frustration with the Hoops desperately needing at least one winger and another striker ahead of the new campaign – and the Champions League qualifier on the horizon.
Shin Yamada and Hayato Inamura have both arrived from Japan(Image: SNS Group)
He said: “I respect what the supporters are – I want players in tomorrow. But I understand the market and what you need to do to bring a player in.
“It’s not as easy as clicking your fingers. We all want them in at the start, absolutely, and none more so than the coach.
“But there is a middle and an end, and as long as you have them in by the end, it’s such a long season, so I’m very hopeful we’ll do that.
“I am, because there is a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes in terms of players.
“Of course, you look at our squad and you can see where there are needs for improvement. It’s pretty clear.
“The market is difficult in terms of timings and everything else. On the same token, we are only 11 days away from the new season and we want to get players in as quickly as we can.
“If you are looking to bring in a player that will improve us, the other club is looking to maximise their assets as well.”
Celtic have a pile of cash in the bank after the £17m sale of Nicholas Kuhn on top of impressive reserves.
But Rodgers is not demanding a bumper war chest as he defended last summer’s £26m trio of Arne Engels, Adam Idah and Auston Trusty.
He said: “There was a bit of focus around the players who came in last year and question marks around what they brought.
“For one, they didn’t set the price. But, two, Celtic did as well as they’ve done for a decade and those guys really helped us.
“Trusty was outstanding in the Champions League. Engels, his running power, was really helpful for us, he’s a young player who will get better.
“Idah scored over 20 goals and still has improvements to make. It depends on perspective. I felt we needed physicality and power for the Champions League and that really helped us.
“Those players have still more to develop.
“Whether a player costs £250,000 or £12m, I’m not really concerned. I’ve seen and worked with players who have cost more but others who have cost less but are much better players.
“I’m not really fixated on, ‘I need £10m, £15m or whatever’ – I just need quality players.”
Rodgers’ men will face Ajax in Como tonight but Hoops fans might need to wait to see Yamada in action, while Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston will get back on the pitch.
The boss said: “I’m not sure. Shin has obviously just come in. He’s been with us for a few days and it’s just assessing and we’ll take it from there.”
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