Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is already looking towards the January transfer window.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has told the Daily Mail that he’s already eyeing up moves in the January transfer window.
The Bhoys are into the Scottish League Cup final after beating Old Firm rivals Rangers 1-0 at Hampden Park, with Moussa Dembele’s late winning goal setting up a final clash with Aberdeen.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates
So far, Rodgers – who was appointed as Ronny Deila’s replacement over the summer – will be delighted with his work at Celtic Park, with the Bhoys leading the Scottish Premiership and now into a domestic final.
Much of that is down to what Rodgers did in the transfer market. The two key summer deals saw Scott Sinclair and the aforementioned Dembele arrive from Aston Villa and Celtic respectively, offering the Bhoys a major boost in the final third.
Dorus De Vries has provided legitimate competition for Craig Gordon in goal, Kolo Toure has added some experience in defence, and Cristian Gamboa gives Rodgers an attacking full back as cover for Mikael Lustig.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
That was only phase one of Rodgers’ transfer work though, and with the January transfer window fast approaching, the Northern Irishman will be looking to add more quality to his side.
The Sun reported earlier this month that Rodgers is keen on Barnsley’s Irish midfielder Conor Hourihane – a Celtic fan – who is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning Celtic could look to sign him for cash in January, or on a pre-contract agreement for free.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
Having been asked about January, Rodgers told the Daily Mail that the upcoming transfer window is ‘important’, as he has his sights on Champions League qualification again, and bringing in players in January will give them time to bed in for the qualifiers next summer.
“January is an important window for a club like Celtic, with one eye on Champions League qualifiers,” said Rodgers. “It’s important if you have ideas of going into European competition so early in the summer. It gives a new player a bedding-in process before hopefully kicking on,” he added.
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