Are Celtic ready for fight on all fronts?

How well-equipped are Celtic to build on their recent success and advance this season now that Celtic are about to begin defending their Scottish title and facing a crucial Champions League qualifying play-off?

With apparent concern that the squad is lacking in a number of areas, manager Brendan Rodgers expressed on Friday that there are “gaps in the squad that are very clear,” which has been a central theme of Celtic supporter conversation of late.

Although there is still a long way to go in the transfer window, are Celtic prepared to face the immediate challenges that lie ahead in terms of a stronger title challenge from Rangers and a clear desire to keep playing at the top of European football?

Rodgers made improvement in Europe his top priority when he left the organization last year, pushing Bayern Munich to the Champions League play-off spot just a little short of the mark.

A play-off in less than a month will determine this season’s participation, and a reversal would be significant.

What happens in Rodgers’ final three years may have a significant impact on whether he thinks he can continue this progression with just one year left on his three-year contract.

It has been almost undiluted domestic success both times Rodgers has taken over Celtic after his second season in charge.

In addition to challenging Champions League campaigns, he recorded two domestic trebles in his first two seasons.

A previously adoring audience erupted in fury as Rodgers left for Leicester City as a result of winning the League Cup in 2018, which meant a seventh straight domestic trophy. However, Rodgers’ perceived disappointment that he had hit a ceiling with Celtic and the lure of the English Premier League caused him to resign.

Four years later, his return received a scant response. He declared that he would remain on the full three-year contract and quickly resurrected his winning ways.

He has won two league and cup titles in two seasons, but Rodgers’ progression shows that clearly in the Champions League.

He has repeatedly emphasized the need for top squad additions in order for that to continue.

With Nicolas Khun’s departure, Jota’s long-term injury, and the absence of Kyogo Furuhashi’s replacement since the Japan forward left in January, that need has grown more pressing.

Rodgers has repeatedly referred to what his squad requires when describing the word “quality.” He’s also stated abundantly that he needs more natural wingers and wants more firepower.

On initial evidence, Sweden winger Benjamin Nygren appears to be good business, and Scotland defender Kieran Tierney’s return adds undeniable talent.

Other intriguing new faces appear to be focused on development.

A significant portion of the Celtic support feel that their domestic dominance is in danger because they are reluctant to spend significant amounts of money.

That’s fair, is it?

Scott Allan, a former Celtic midfielder, acknowledges the fan apprehension, but he points to Tierney’s free transfer as an example of how things are being overstated.

He claimed that Tierney’s inclusion in the free papers overshadowed his reputation as a player of outstanding quality.

“The only thing that worries me is that Brendan Rodgers actually mentioned starting players rather than starting them.”

Many clubs must be envious of Celtic’s long-term transfer strategy, which has consistently been successful.

Matt O’Riley, Jota, and Kuhn’s fans have made a sizable profit.

Arne Engels and Adam Idah, both of whom Celtic signed last summer, were significant investments. Some fans may feel they overpaid, but that opinion may change over the coming months.

A rough estimate of the receipts for the summer alone suggests that about £20-25 million has been spent on top of that.

Fans will be pleasantly surprised by a return to Rodgers’ first season. Celtic was widely recruited, and the response from supporters at the time was overwhelmingly positive.

A quick glance through that list of names might help a little bit. After spending close to £15 million, Luis Palma, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Kwon Hyeok-kyu, Marco Tilio, Odin Thiago Holm, and Maik Nawrocki failed to pass.

Rodgers has stated on numerous occasions that he anticipates that his squad will be stronger by the end of August and that there will likely be some restraint.

With that crucial play-off hurdle in mind, is whether that will be enough to satisfy him and a support desperate for more domestic success and to see their team resurrect after a successful Champions League campaign last term?

Allan said, “I completely understand his Rodgers’ frustration.”

He mentioned how evolving every year after Bayern Munich’s exit. That likely looked into the future of this window.

When Kyogo left, there were many questions posed. Although Daizen Maeda performed as the number nine, I don’t think Brendan Rodgers would prefer him to play the wing.

He says, “He wants to grow the team, he wants to stay there longer,” and that requires quality work.