Celtic’s Summer Wishlist: Who’s Safe, Who Needs Replacing, and Where Rodgers Wants Reinforcements
Celtic are gearing up for a hectic summer, and Brendan Rodgers is on a mission to bring in some serious talent. Yes, the Hoops did a solid double, winning the league and Premier Sports Cup,but that Scottish Cup Final loss to Aberdeen still stings. Plus, with the Champions League in sight and other clubs sniffing around key players, standing still isn’t an option.
Rodgers has made it clear: he wants reinforcements. But where exactly does Celtic need fresh legs the most? We’ve broken it down, area by area, ranking each position from 0 (no need at all) to 10 (emergency button time).
Goalkeeper
0/10
No drama here. Kasper Schmeichel’s still the man, with Sinisalo as solid backup. Ross Doohan is also expected back to play third fiddle. Schmeichel’s not getting younger, so long-term planning might be brewing, but not this summer.
Right-back
0/10
Alistair Johnston’s got this spot locked down. Anthony Ralston offers decent cover and ticks the ‘homegrown’ box for UEFA. Zero need to mess with this.
Centre-back
4/10
Cameron Carter-Vickers is a guaranteed starter. But the other slot? Still up for grabs. Trusty, Scales, and Nawrocki have all had their moments but haven’t nailed it. Lagerbielke and Welsh look set to leave, so a quality addition might be worth considering.
Left-back
8/10
If Kieran Tierney is back for good, that’s a huge boost—but relying on him alone is risky given his injury record. With Greg Taylor likely heading out, Celtic need not just backup but someone who can start when Tierney’s not fit. Big priority.
Midfield
7/10
McGregor runs the show and doesn’t miss many games. Engels is a regular too. But Reo Hatate’s creative spark was badly missed in that cup final, and the current backups haven’t stepped up. Time to bring in someone who can add flair and make a difference in the final third.
⚡ Wingers
6/10
If Maeda or Kuhn leaves, this jumps to panic mode. Even with them, the depth’s a bit shaky. Forrest isn’t the player he used to be, Yang blows hot and cold, and Palma looks like he’s off. Jota’s still out long-term too. Reinforcements needed.
Striker
10/10
This is where the alarm bells are ringing loudest. Celtic spent big on Adam Idah last summer, but while he chipped in with goals, fans expected more for the price. With Kyogo gone and no real senior striker behind Idah, it’s now or never. Dermot Desmond needs to dig deep and give Rodgers a proper No.9, one who can fire them into the Champions League, not just the Europa League.
Final Word:
Rodgers knows what he wants, and if Desmond and the board are serious about competing in Europe and staying ahead domestically, it’s time to put their money where their mouth is. This summer could shape the whole season.
