BRENDAN RODGERS will not spend Celtic’s Champions League money on a big-name player during this transfer window if his side qualify for the group stages in Israel on Tuesday.
A 5-2 first-leg lead should be enough for Scotland’s only representatives in Europe to get past Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the return and that would guarantee the best part of £20million coming into the club’s coffers.
Rodgers would have significant funds to spend even things go wrong in midweek; however, if he can guide Celtic past this play-off round, he then would be able to push the boat out on what he described as a marquee signing in a bid to improve the squad and also standing of the club.
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German World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger has been linked with what would be an astounding move to Glasgow and there will be some supporters hoping to see a famous face walk through the doors at Celtic Park over the coming weeks.
But when Rodgers was asked whether he would go for a high profile star if Celtic have Champions League football over the next few months, the Irishman played down the need for such an acquisition, especially is said star wasn’t able to fit into his team.
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He said: “I’m not worried whether there is or isn’t, I just need the best player. It doesn’t have to be a marquee signing. I think we have brought in some really top talents who have come in and excited the supporters. I don’t need a marquee signing that can’t run.
“I can get you a marquee signing but they’ve got to be able to press and they’ve got to be able to run. For me it’s never been about the name. But, of course, if the name is big and he can play, then great, but for me it’s about having the right profile of player who can come in.
“No matter the age they have to be hungry in every single game and every training session, and that’s what I always look for.”
Celtic, and Rangers before liquidation, were stung previously when a player with a good reputation but well past their best moved north looking for nothing more than a final pay-day.
Rodgers is more interested in whether a new signing, and he hopes to add two more before the window shuts, can adapt to his all-action style of play than selling more jerseys at the club shop.
The Celtic manager said: “This is a team that you have to be able to run in. You have to be athletic, you have to be able to press. You can’t run forward if you can’t run back, that’s one of my rules for a team. Don’t run forward if you can’t run back.
“The athleticism the mobility the hunger the intensity has to be there and they have to be leading their life right. If that’s a big name, great, and if we can do it, great, but if not we just get the best possible player that we can.
“Players are more receptive to a Champions League club. The market explodes doesn’t it, the whole thing explodes when you make the Champions League. But we have to get there first. That’s our message.
“We’ve put ourselves in a brilliant position if you look across Europe at the scores in the Champions League or the Europa League and we are in a great position. But we are focused. If we can get through there will be a bit of work to do between then and when the market shuts.”
Celtic beat St Johnstone 4-2 on Saturday and while the team still requires work, the Celtic supporters have enjoyed what they have seen so far.
Rodgers has been surprised at the challenged which he faced in his first few months in the job and will be glad to get out of Israel on Tuesday night with the one of the most difficult tests he will ever have at the club out of the way.
He said: “It’s the hardest pre-season I’ve ever done. No question about that. I take my hat off to the guys who have been here before me and who have gone through it.
“I spoke to Martin O’Neill, I spoke to Neil Lennon, just for a general chat, and the word I took away from it was ‘dangerous’ and I know exactly what they mean. I saw Lenny quoted that it was ‘awful’ the other day.
“It’s a very dangerous period because the demand physically and mentally at this stage of the season is unique. Especially when you know what it can do for the country, not just the club, you are taking on responsibility for a nation to empower that and to help that.
“It’s tough but hopefully the rewards are there for you. We still have a bit of work to do but we have made great strides over the course of pre-season and the beauty of this group is that they are only going to get better and better as we roll out the concepts of how we want to play.”
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