Brendan Rodgers opens up on Celtic’s collapsed move to sign Rivaldo Coetzee last month

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Brendan Rodgers has commented on Rivaldo Coetzee’s failed move to Celtic.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has told The Sunday Post that Rivaldo Coetzee’s failed move to join the Bhoys was ‘very unfortunate’ and a ‘great shame’.

The Bhoys made calculated additions to their squad over the summer, with Olivier Ntcham and Kundai Benyu brought in on permanent deals to strengthen Rodgers’ options in the middle of the park, whilst winger Jonny Hayes was also purchased from Aberdeen.

Late in the window, Celtic also managed to tie up loan deals for attacking duo Patrick Roberts and Odsonne Edouard, with Roberts returning for a second loan spell having starred under Rodgers last season.

That capped off a fine transfer window, which also saw Celtic keep hold of Kieran Tierney and Moussa Dembele, whilst also convincing playmaker Stuart Armstrong to sign a new contract to stay in Glasgow.

If there is to be one negative – and there may only be one – it’s that Celtic didn’t manage to bring in another central defender before the transfer deadline, despite Rodgers’ attempts to rectify the situation.

Jozo Simunovic, Erik Sviatchenko and Dedryck Boyata have all suffered injury problems in recent times, forcing Kristoffer Ajer and Nir Bitton – holding midfielders by trade – to play in the heart of defence on occasion this season.

Celtic did attempt to bring in another defender, having agreed a deal to sign South African talent Ricardo Coetzee from Ajax Cape Town, but the deal fell through at the last minute due to a problem picked up in his medical.

Now, Rodgers has opened up on the situation to The Sunday Post, admitting that he did want to sign Coetzee, and it’s a ‘great shame’ that the deal fell through, before wishing him the best of luck – and Coetzee has already earned himself another move, joining Mamelodi Sundowns instead.

“As everyone knows we were looking to bring a centre-half into the club and it was very unfortunate what happened with Rivaldo in South Africa,” said Rodgers. “It was a great shame for him that he was not able to complete that transfer and of course we send him our sincere best wishes for the future,” he added.