Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted that he is as focussed on developing the players he has got as much as he is on bringing new players into the club.
Celtic have added goalkeeper Scott Bain and Odsonne Edouard to the squad so far this summer but further new additions are anticipated. Rodgers was irked last term at the continued references to what he felt was a perceived need for further cover at the back – “I don’t think everyone would be happy unless we had Billy McNeill playing at centre-half,” – and he has warned that the biggest issue when it comes to further new signings is the finances required to improve what he already has.
“Key was to get the likes of Tom and the likes of Odsonne in who we know,” Rodgers told Celtic TV. Like always, there are a few areas that we want to be better in and improve.
“It is never easy because the squad we have is developing very well. But I also like to develop our own players. Everyone talks about bringing players in and signings and more centre-halves. We have young players who are developing very well.
“They will continue to improve and get better but of course we always have to be in the market to bring the best possible players to Celtic. But there are two very important conditions: availability and of course affordability. Can we afford them? But we are always on the lookout to bring players here and keep our progress moving forward.”
The Parkhead side have drawn Armenian side Alashkert in their first Champions League qualification tie and Rodgers believes the experience of previous campaigns is something that Celtic can draw on.
“I don’t know so much about them but before we play I will do,” he said. “But I am experienced now of these games and they are always tricky ties. Whether it is heat, whether it is travel you just have to prepare yourself as best you possible can.
“The first leg is away and we have to deal with it and then we have the second leg at home. The objective is to qualify and at that stage of the season is all we are looking to do.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers has voiced his delight at getting Edouard in on a four-year contract after being impressed with his performances last term.
And he believes that there is much more still to come from the Frenchman.
“With Odsonne I was delighted,” he said. “Coming in on a loan deal, we knew he was a talent and I think he proved, not just over the games, but in training every day that he is an outstanding player. “He has every attribute but he still needs development, still needs improvement. But he came in as a 19-year-old and scored some very important goals. His link-up player, his movement, everything – he is such a talented player and we think this is a great platform for him to come and work at a big club and improve more.”
Rogic won the penalty that gave Australia a point yesterday in Russia against Denmark and Rodgers believes that the experience of being at the World Cup will kick him on to another level.
“I have loved working with Tom,” said the Celtic manager. “He is a big game player and makes big goals in big games. I was delighted when Tom made the decision that he wanted to stay here. He is an outstanding talent and he will get better and better. He will come back with a different energy and different confidence and he knows his future is stable and secure.”
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