Celtic overcomplicating summer transfer business says Sutton

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The Celtic Star

·23 Juli 2025

Celtic overcomplicating summer transfer business says Sutton

Chris Sutton believes Celtic are overcomplicating their summer transfer business…

Celtic player Shin Yamada is introduced to the crow prior to the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Newcastle United at Celtic Park on July 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The former Hoops striker has described Brendan Rodgers’ remarks about Japanese forward Shin Yamada’s arrival as ‘bizarre.’

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Yamada was officially announced as Celtic’s latest signing on Saturday, joining the club on a four-year contract from J-League outfit Kawasaki Frontale. However, Sutton views Rodgers’ assessment of the deal as odd, hinting that the manager is choosing his words carefully as questions continue to surround his own deal which expires at the end of the season.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is seen during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Newcastle United at Celtic Park on July 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Speaking via Daily Record, Sutton said: “Rodgers needs reinforcements and his comments about incoming Shin Yamada won’t exactly put fans at ease, when it’s clear they are starting to get a bit frustrated at the lack of serious movement in the transfer market.

“The manager described the Japanese striker as a club signing and one he’ll assess when he gets in to see if he’s going to be one to develop for the future or one for the here and now.”

Sutton added: “I find all that stuff a bit bizarre. You don’t get this stuff elsewhere about club signings as opposed to manager signings. Rodgers is clearly being a bit cute. He will have had the final say on the deal but it looks like he’s agreed to take a look at a low risk cheap arrival while also creating a bit of distance if he doesn’t quite work out.

Celtic player Kieran Tierney is embraced by manager Brendan Rodgers before coming on as a substitute during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Newcastle United at Celtic Park on July 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“It’s a strange scenario. You can’t be over-critical of a transfer policy that has made the club fortunes over the last decade and more. But it doesn’t seem like Celtic don’t half make things hard for themselves when it comes to transfers.”

Sutton is right. The ‘club signing,’ ‘player for the future,’ ‘needs development,’ type signing is tedious rhetoric. Celtic need reinforcements who will walk through the door and add quality now. They also must get their act together in the transfer market. The season starts a week on Sunday.

Michael Nicholson, Chief Executive of Celtic FC looks on from the stands prior to the Premiership match between Celtic FC and St Mirren FC at Celtic Park on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It would be great if someone told the Celtic board that.

Conor Spence

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