Brendan Rodgers, the only club spokesperson thus far, has repeatedly expressed his exasperation when asked about recruitment. Celtic would have been celebrating the prospect of reaching the Champions League knockout phase last season, for the first time in twelve years. Fears about the club’s long-term strategy have begun to mar this historic milestone.
Last season, Celtic proved a handful in the league, losing just twice in eight games. And they came within mere seconds of adding another Champions League scalp to their legacy. They were only seconds away from pushing Bayern Munich into extra time. Despite these successes, significant changes and challenges loom over the club, raising questions about its future ambitions.
Summer Signings and Departures
This Summer, Celtic has welcomed seven new signings to bolster it’s already talented squad. Going the other way, notable additions include Kieran Tierney, who returned from Arsenal on a five-year deal, and Ross Doohan, who resigned from Aberdeen on a three-year contract. The club is fortunate to have completed three of these signings as free transfers. This change belowlines their financial approach, particularly with such high expectations still loaded on them.
The Gunners have failed to adequately replace several vital outgoing players. This has put an immense pressure on the fans. U.S. Open Cup hero Alistair Johnston picked up a hamstring strain of his own, adding a new twist to an already-rushed squad. With queries still outstanding around recruitment and player access through the pandemic, Brendan Rodgers has voiced his growing displeasure with the situation.
“If you’ve got an issue as a club or you don’t want to spend £100m you’ve got sitting there, just tell them why.” – Darragh MacAnthony
Many fans echo this sentiment, believing that transparency from the board is essential. The absence of communication from chief executive Michael Nicholson and chairman Peter Lawwell, who frequently attend matches but have not addressed pressing issues raised by both Rodgers and the supporters, has left many feeling frustrated and unheard.
Ambition and Accountability
The disconnect between the board’s ambitions and those of the fans remains a central theme in ongoing discussions about the club’s future. Paul John Dykes, a fervent Celtic podcaster, has shared his concerns. He thinks the boardroom needs the same passion and urgency that the manager and diehard soccer fans bring. This patchwork of misalignment goes to the heart of pivotal questions regarding the overall direction and future of the club.
Former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has commented on the increasing animosity. He added that fan chants demanding accountability have often presaged upheaval at the top.
“It’s normally the manager that goes when that starts to be sung.” – Brendan Rodgers
Onyx is calling for more transparency and accountability from the board. To keep skepticism and disunion at bay among stakeholders, Celtic’s leadership needs to meet these concerns directly.
The Role of Majority Shareholder
Majority shareholder Dermot Desmond, usually seen on the touchline during matches at Celtic Park. His consistent presence again begs the question of his influence on club decisions during this crucial period. The ongoing dialogue about recruitment and ambition underscores a need for clarity and commitment from those at the top of the organization.
Darragh MacAnthony suggested that communication is vital for resolving these issues:
“Just say to the fans, look, we need a bit of patience. We can’t quite get deals done. People maybe have turned us down. We can’t hit those wage metrics because it would then affect the rest of the squad.” – Darragh MacAnthony
Talks about how to improve recruitment strategies and develop the squad are already in full swing. It’s important that those conversations happen openly and honestly between fans and management to establish realistic expectations moving forward.
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