Kouassi Eboue’s arrival has Celtic fans talking but how long will he stay?
Unfortunately, the influx of money within the English game has not travelled across the border. Therefore, while the likes of Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion can smash their transfer record without breaking sweat, one of the most historic clubs in the European game is still forced to scrimp and save.
In recent seasons, Celtic have sold key men to Southampton, Swansea City, Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Sunderland, making a rather substantial profit on each deal.
However, while that adds up to a sound business plan, it hardly helps Celtic re-establish themselves at the top level of European competition.
Therefore, Brendan Rodgers’ sobering comments just before the news broke that 19-year-old FC Krasnodar midfielder Kouassi Eboue would be the latest exciting youngster to link up with the Scottish champions will leave fans lamenting the financial divisions within the game.
“Celtic get a couple of million a year from TV money – down there [England] you are getting £100m if you finish bottom. So absolutely every penny we get in here at Celtic has to be worked for,” the Northern Irishman told talkSPORT in quotes reported by the Daily Record.
“You know at Celtic that if you get a really talented player then the cycle at best is a couple of years, like [Victor] Wanyama and [Virgil] van Dijk and Ki [Sung-Yeung].
“If they have that quality then it is a great platform for them to demonstrate that and then they know there is a better financial situation down south.”
Essentially, Rodgers is admitting that young talents like Eboue can use Celtic as a stepping stone and a route into the Premier League.
Therefore, that will not ease any fears that the likes of Moussa Dembele, linked with almost every club under the sun on the back of 19 goals in 36 appearances for the Hoops, could be shipped off when a tempting offer comes Celtic’s way.
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