Celtic’s recruitment record in the last two windows has yielded a varying degree of success regarding their acquisitions.
Luis Palma and Paulo Bernardo have both shown glimpses of brilliance during their time at Parkhead; meanwhile, the likes of Gustaf Lagerbielke have fallen off the face of a cliff, which has produced more questions than answers among supporters.
Adam Idah has probably been the surprise package of the season from a recruitment perspective, arriving on loan from Norwich City to register seven goals and two assists in 14 appearances across all competitions [Transfermarkt].
Brendan Rodgers has had to navigate some choppy waters since returning to Glasgow, with a wealth of injury problems, patchy form and adaptation processes for new players all falling onto his lap at times this term.
Nevertheless, with four Scottish Premiership matches left to play, Celtic have the upper hand in the fight with Rangers, sitting three points clear of their city rivals with a superior goal difference.
With a clear end in sight, the Bhoys could still end the campaign with a domestic double after what has been a rollercoaster year. In the circumstances, claiming two trophies would be heralded as a superb success from all involved.
However, there is a long way to go until anything is set and stone, and Celtic will be taking things day-by-day, starting with our home clash against Heart of Midlothian this weekend.
John Hartson on Celtic’s potential summer transfer plans
Undoubtedly, there will be plenty of lessons to learn from this season for Celtic, which can hopefully provide a platform for more trophy-laden success at Parkhead.
Former Hoops striker John Hartson is also of that belief, and has indicated that if his old side do manage to secure the financial riches on offer in the new Champions League format, club chiefs must back Rodgers in the market to mount a credible challenge in continental competition.
The Welshman stated [Cited via The Daily Record]: “If they win the league all that (inconsistency) will be forgotten about. They’ll get £40million Champions League money and that would allow Brendan to bring in some players.
“It’s important the Celtic board backs Brendan this summer and I think they will. They all saw the disappointing Champions League campaign. I’m not saying they go and spend £10million on a player because that’s not really Celtic’s way.
“But I still expect the board to back Brendan – I think they have to. They need to help him get to the second phase of the Champions League because in recent years it’s been awful; it really, really has.”
Hartson has hit the nail on the head, and Celtic can’t afford another patchy summer of transfer incomings with the potential for another tough challenging task competing in Europe come 2024/25.
Either way, we need to make sure we get there first, and hopefully, Rodgers and company can deliver title success so the club can be angled as a selling point for talent to come and flourish.