Archive September 2, 2025

Celtic’s business in this transfer window “reeks of incompetence”. It’s an “absolute embarrassment.” Fans are “just disappointed” rather than “no longer surprised.”

The Scottish Premiership champions ‘ board are “actively managing a decline”, and the failure to significantly enhance the squad “feels like self sabotage”.

Brendan Rodgers’ departure as manager of the Glasgow outfit “would be justified in this time,” according to Rodgers, who has “proved again that they are not a serious football club.”

It is impossible to describe the anger currently raging around the city’s east end as a result of saying that Celtic fans are unhappy with how the summer has gone.

The fans are revolting against the board for not investing. For doing the same thing, the manager has aimed a few barbs at his superiors.

And those fissures appear to be causing only one thing now, with Rodgers’ deal up and the season’s conclusion.

On the pitch, an expensive and mortifying Champions League exit and meek Old Firm performance ramped up the rage even more.

Rodgers and the Celtic fans’ frantic deadline day signings were unsuccessful.

Just one player – Tunisia winger Sebastian Tounekti – arrived, while Adam Idah was allowed to join Swansea despite Rodgers ‘ insistence a few days prior that the striker was going nowhere unless a replacement had been secured.

Celtic already needed one striker because Kyogo Furuhashi’s replacement, Kyogo Furuhashi, was unable to do so after leaving in January. They are now two short.

The mooted arrival of former Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who is now a free agent after his Sevilla contract was cancelled, will do little to quell fan anger.

Kasper Dolberg, a £8 million striker for Anderlecht, was on Celtic’s radar as they attempted to close a deal, but the Dane is reportedly set to make a return to Ajax.

In the final moments of the window, the Scottish champions were desperately searching.

Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana reportedly snubbed them in favour of English League One Charlton, only for that move to ultimately fall through. No dice were played either way when Sekou Mara from Strasbourg was linked further.

Celtic have brought in 11 signings this window, but only four look like they could be starters in Rodgers ‘ strongest XI.

Tounekti, Benjamin Nygren, and Michel-Ange Balikwisha all appear to have been recruited with the intention of becoming regulars, while Kieran Tierney will play when he is fit.

The rest are bench players, project players, or young loanees.

Given 11 first-team squad members – and further 12 youngesters – have left this summer, it could be argued that it balances out.

Can Nicolas Kuhn and the long-term injured Jota be replaced by Tounekti, Nygren, or Balikwisha? Are Greg Taylor and Jeffrey Schlupp’s left-back positions improved by Tierney and loanee Marcelo Saracchi? And who replaces Idah and Kyogo?

Rodgers has only two striker options in attack: rookie summer signing Shin Yamada, Callum Osmand, who has been playing for the B team, and 22-year-old fringe player Johnny Kenny. Daizen Maeda will need to be moved from the left wing to fill the void.

Even Tounekti’s purchase raises questions. Rodgers is quoted as saying the winger can “operate on both sides” yet the 23-year-old clearly favours the left, having played 70 games on that flank compared to just eight on the right.

Is there now a balance between Celtic’s overstocked left-sided players and the newly acquired Balikwisha, who looked reluctant to take players on on during his debut in Sunday’s derby draw at Ibrox?

When you consider all of that, Celtic leave the window more vulnerable than it was when it first opened, which is strong evidence.

After calling for reinforcements numerous times for months, Kairat Almaty humiliated Rodgers’ side in ignominious fashion.

The manager’s contract expires in the summer, but he will still have to meet stringent demands for the Europa League and domestic competition.

His first spell ended in the middle of a third campaign, with the Northern Irishman leaving under a cloud for Leicester City. Rodriguez has vowed to extend his second contract with Celtic.

Matt: Football is not the only source of frustration at Celtic. A disconnect has been forming between the club’s management and the supporters for years. There has been no attempt to bridge that gap. This is made worse by the AGM’s glib putdowns against the Old Firm. The wise Celtic supporters understand that this is just a distraction by stoking the division. It assumes we are stupid. Not at all.

Joe: The board consistently exhibits indecisiveness and stalling. Business should have been done several weeks ago. They have to pay more than £40 million. No longer amused, but instead dejected once more.

Cam: Celtic’s approach in the transfer window is “hit and hope” at times. When the plan to bolster the squad actually should be in place before the window even opens, it lacks ambition throughout the entire window. Beyond the manager and the team, the scope is club-wide.

Ed: The real shock for me here is the fans are surprised. This is repeating history. Although it’s a slightly worse case, we’ve all been aware of this before on occasion. Shameful at board level.

James: Celtic have proven once again they are not a serious football club. I once believed it was due to lack of ambition on the part of the board. More alarmingly, it has become clear that they also lack the ability. Unfortunately, there will be no consequences. Nothing will alter.

Charlie: Surprised, disappointed, but not overwhelmed. This is not progress, it’s not even consolidation.

James: I believe that the club should be explained to the current owners. Is Rodgers in complete control over signings? And if so, he must be held to account and explain why his big signings have not produced. More accountability must be exercised between the board, the manager, the players, and the supporters.

Gordy: The only word that describes it is horrifying. We have had the whole summer to look for replacements for the players we knew were leaving. The club is left in a ridiculous situation because of the club’s bang average manager (for not pushing the board for what he knew he needed), fantastic support base, fantastic stadium, and fantastic stadium. The hiring team and the board are dishonest for putting us in this predicament.

Stephen: The recruitment team, and board, have massively let down everyone associated with the club. Idah’s decision to let him leave after realizing we needed to add options upfront beggars belief and smacks of self-sabotage. Fans of Celtics are embarrassed and disappointed.

Benny: Where do you start? lack of empathy Unlucky ? No, it’s mismanagement and arrogance from a board who have previous for this shambolic amateurism. The manager’s departure would be more than justifiable. Only words can adequately describe this window and others, shameful and embarrassing. I dread the Europa League upcoming ties with this squad.