The Celtic manager has been preparing for his team’s next Premiership match against Hibernian.
Brendan Rodgers, Celtic’s manager, is hoping for adjustments to the club’s transfer policy following a disastrous summer.
Fans are preparing to protest against the board with a 12-minute first-half silence at Saturday’s Premiership match against Hibs, citing dissatisfaction with a variety of causes, including delayed transfer business. Recruitment has been a source of frustration at Parkhead, and it resurfaced when Adam Idah was sold on deadline day, with no recognised striker in place to replace him.
Kelechi Iheanacho was finally signed as a free agent, however several signings were not completed in time to compete in the Champions League play-off against Kairat Almaty in August, which they lost on penalties after drawing 0-0 over two legs. Rodgers was asked ahead of the Hibs game if adjustments would be made in the January transfer window to prevent repeating the summer problems, and he pointed to scouting as one area where slickness might be improved.
Brendan Rodgers discusses Celtic’s transfer business
He said, “I sincerely hope so. At the moment, I believe the scouting team understands exactly what we’re looking for and what we lost out on in the summer market. So there’s a lot of work going into that. It’s a narrower window, of course, so you’ve got to be sleek, prepared, and ready to get the job done as quickly as possible. So I’m hoping that we can learn from that and close it out better in the January timeframe.”
Daizen Maeda is one player that has struggled since the summer season ended. The forward has struggled for form after assuming he was on his way out of Celtic, only to have that desire unravel. Rodgers stated: “I believe that is part of the management process because you cannot underestimate how difficult it has been for him.
“This is a person who has given everything for this football club, and even when you want to give your all, there’s a subconscious factor that might definitely hold you back a little bit. What’s key is, as I always tell any player in this circumstance, that you don’t get caught up in the ‘it’s not fair’ mentality because it’s a very dangerous territory to be in and difficult to leave.
Daizen Maeda’s Celtic Situation
“You have to look forward, do it for your teammates, your family, and your supporters, and then you’ll regain your confidence and start to feel like yourself again.
“He’s been a tremendous player for this club, and I’m confident he’ll regain his previous form in the coming weeks. I can only speak from my few years here, but he’s been absolutely amazing. So he will get back to it, although it is always difficult.
“It’s not a light bulb; you simply turn the flick on and off. This game is involves emotions as well, which might be difficult for players.”
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