Celtic’s season was very spectacular. A league title successfully received earlier than the Bells; a League Cup; a extremely creditable draw at Bayern Munich within the Champions League knockout phases; and a Scottish Cup last.
If supplied that earlier than a ball was kicked, most supporters would have fortunately signed up.
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A cracking marketing campaign, sure, however Celtic’s 2025 has been removed from that. Requirements dropped significantly. Seven defeats in 5 months, albeit two of these had been to Aston Villa and Bayern.
Rangers (twice), Hibernian and St Johnstone all bought the higher of Brendan Rodgers within the Premiership whereas Aberdeen ruined the treble.
The Parkhead facet began the season like a prepare however went off the rails in direction of the top. Trigger for concern? No. Extra like pause for thought.
Within the absence of the injured Reo Hatate and Jota, Celtic seemed wanting power and creativity within the cup last. As they’d accomplished at a moderately flat trophy day the week earlier than when St Mirren felt unfortunate to go away with only a level.
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Rodgers fielded the identical facet at Hampden, a lot to this correspondent’s shock. With Jota unlikely to characteristic a lot – if in any respect – this 12 months, can Celtic afford to entertain any summer season presents for Hatate given the season-ending lack of aptitude?
Extra will likely be anticipated subsequent time period of Arne Engels and Paulo Bernardo. I believe a inventive midfielder is excessive amongst Rodgers’ priorities when the switch window opens.
Given Jota’s medium-term absence, one other winger will nearly definitely must be acquired. Nicolas Kuhn’s sensational early-season kind tailed off dramatically. May Celtic be tempted to money in on him if a good supply arrives this summer season?
The return of Kieran Tierney will bolster Celtic’s choices in each defence and assault, given his fancy for surging runs down the flank and good deliveries.
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The crew’s tally of 112 Premiership targets en path to the title would counsel they’re fairly nicely off up entrance. Kyogo Furuhashi wasn’t changed in January, nonetheless, and there have been a number of late-season possibilities handed up by the in any other case glorious Daizen Maeda.
A quick, agile, pure finisher could also be underlined in purple ink on the supervisor’s summer season purchasing listing.
As will a dependable, fast centre-half with good distribution. Liam Scales has accomplished nicely sufficient however Rodgers dropped him in favour of Auston Trusty earlier than bringing the Irish worldwide again when the American’s kind dipped.
I’m wondering how a lot of the estimated £26m the membership spent on Trusty, Engels and Adam Idah can be recouped in the event that they had been put up on the market now?
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Celtic spent huge final summer season and the supervisor will likely be hoping they go giant once more. And rapidly. The membership now not have an automated place at European soccer’s prime desk, as a substitute having to come back by means of a play-off.
Can Celtic actually afford to attend and see in the event that they strike it wealthy once more earlier than committing to a giant spend? Speculating to build up is definitely the safer choice, even for a board that prefers prudence.
[BBC]