Celtic and manager Brendan Rodgers will now shift their focus toward preparations for next season following a disappointing weekend.
Their hopes of securing a domestic Treble were dashed as Aberdeen edged them out in a penalty shootout in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park, after a 1-1 draw across 120 minutes. Despite already claiming a league and League Cup double, Celtic ended the campaign on a low note, having failed to deliver in the final.
Attention will now turn to the upcoming transfer window, with fans eager to see how the club responds. It’s expected that Celtic’s recruitment team will be active, aiming to strengthen key areas.
Former manager Neil Lennon, who has experienced similar end-of-season scenarios, shared his insight on what Brendan Rodgers is likely to do next. Speaking to Premier Sports, Lennon emphasized that strengthening the squad—particularly in attack—will be a priority after the January departure of Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes.
According to Lennon, Rodgers will likely seek to bring in a new striker before reviewing the entire squad to enhance depth and quality, especially through the spine of the team. Lennon believes that these changes could make Celtic even stronger next season, which he describes as a “frightening prospect” for their domestic rivals.
Reflecting on the season, Lennon said: “They won the League Cup and produced an excellent performance against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. We’ve also seen new talent emerge. With Kyogo leaving in January and no direct replacement signed, I think Brendan will focus on adding a striker. But beyond that, he’ll look to reinforce the middle of the park too.”
In Kyogo’s absence, Daizen Maeda stepped up and was regularly deployed in a more central attacking role. Adam Idah had an inconsistent spell, highlighted by his early substitution in the cup final. Still, Celtic’s goal output remained strong despite the absence of a recognised leading striker.
Rodgers and the Celtic hierarchy now have a crucial summer ahead as they look to rebuild and retool for another title push—and possibly another run in Europe.
