Busy Summer Ahead for Celtic as Rodgers Prepares for Champions League Push
Brendan Rodgers is gearing up for a significant summer at Celtic Park, aiming to strengthen his squad ahead of next season’s Champions League campaign. Having already secured Kieran Tierney’s return, his next focus is reinforcing the midfield.
The club’s recruitment team has identified key positions in need of bolstering, with a central midfielder, a defensive midfielder, and a right winger at the top of the priority list. With Greg Taylor set to depart, Rodgers has already addressed the left-back position by bringing Tierney back from Arsenal on a free transfer.
Rodgers has made it clear that quality, not quantity, is the priority this summer, targeting players who can make an impact in Europe. Celtic reached the Champions League knockout stages last season before a narrow defeat to Bayern Munich, and the manager is determined to build on that progress.
Last summer, Rodgers made a strong statement with the signings of Adam Idah, Arne Engels, Luke McCowan, Auston Trusty, Paulo Bernardo, and Kasper Schmeichel. This time, one of Celtic’s long-term targets, Motherwell’s Lennon Miller, is back on their radar. The highly-rated midfielder, recently called up to the Scotland squad, is valued at around £4 million, though interest from clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt and Royal Union Saint-Gilloise could drive up the price.
Midfield Reinforcements Needed
Despite already having Callum McGregor, McCowan, Engels, Reo Hatate, and Bernardo in the squad, Rodgers wants to strengthen the midfield to maintain Celtic’s domestic dominance and enhance their European prospects. There is speculation that Hatate could be sold to maximize his value, but even if he stays, depth is needed, particularly given McGregor’s recent injury struggles.
One potential midfield target is Augsburg’s defensive midfielder Elvis Rexhbecaj. Meanwhile, Celtic are also looking to reinforce the right-wing position, where Nicolas Kühn has been a standout performer, contributing 18 goals and 14 assists this season, including in the Champions League. However, his impressive form could attract interest from other clubs.
Hyun-jun Yang has provided backup on the right wing, but his future role depends on his development in the coming months. Veteran winger James Forrest, who turns 34 in the summer, remains an option but is entering the latter stages of his career.
Left-Back Situation & Potential Schlupp Deal
While Tierney’s return solves the immediate left-back issue, Taylor’s expected departure would leave Celtic with just one recognized left-back. Taylor has interest from Dinamo Zagreb and Major League Soccer clubs, and if he moves on, Celtic could consider making Jeffrey Schlupp’s loan from Crystal Palace permanent.
Schlupp has impressed both domestically and in Europe, expressing a willingness to stay at Celtic. However, his future will depend on wage negotiations, as Celtic are not currently covering his full salary. Rodgers has praised the Ghana international but remains cautious about committing too soon.
Loan Players’ Futures to Be Decided
Celtic also have several players out on loan whose futures will need to be addressed. Luis Palma is at Olympiacos, Odin Thiago Holm is with Los Angeles FC, and Stephen Welsh is gaining experience at KV Mechelen. Marco Tilio is on loan at Melbourne City, while Gustaf Lagerbielke is currently with Dutch side FC Twente.
With key signings, potential departures, and returning loanees to assess, Rodgers and Celtic’s recruitment team have a packed summer ahead as they prepare for another domestic and European challenge.
