Brendan Rodgers provides much needed transfer strategy clarification

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·24 luglio 2025

Brendan Rodgers provides much needed transfer strategy clarification

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has made it clear he is fully accountable for all players brought into the club — regardless of whether they are club-driven signings for the future or first-team-ready reinforcements.

Benjamin Nygren of Celtic 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 candidly to the press in Como ahead of Celtic’s Como Cup appearances, Rodgers offered insights into his approach to integrating new players, balancing long-term development with the urgent demands of success across four competitions.

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His comments as reported by Scottish Sun covered a range of summer signings, including young prospects, international additions, as well as last season’s big money arrivals and of course the need for first team ready players ahead of the new season.

Rodgers spoke at length about Celtic’s younger additions, particularly Callum Osmand and Hayato Inamura, both viewed externally as club-driven signings with potential, an assertion that also seemed to be shared by the manager when the players arrived, but now the manager has added some further context.

Celtic new Japan striker Shin Yamada is unveiled 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)

Rodgers was quick to assert that no matter the origin of the recruitment, he takes full responsibility for developing and assessing these players.

“There will be players within our recruitment team that are not just for now but for the future… Clearly I will look at those players and assess, and see if those players can come in and play.”

Rodgers acknowledged that some players might not be expected to contribute immediately, but emphasised that the evaluation process is still his responsibility –

“There are players who come in who are maybe not expected to hit the ground running, but some of them do. That’s what I need to assess, those guys coming in… Either way, I will be responsible for that.”

Hayato Inamura of Celtic controls the ball 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)

In Callum Osmand’s case, Rodgers cited the need for proper evaluation before determining whether the player stays or heads out on loan –

“You look at the likes of Callum Osmand. He’s a young, talented player, so is he ready now or does he need a loan? You don’t know that until you assess that. He’s still our signing.”

Meanwhile, Inamura, 23, arrived with just one year of professional experience and was expected to be a longer-term project. However, he has clearly impressed the manager early, as he has the fans –

“Inamura, for example, the idea was he’s a talented player, but he’s only been playing professional for a year. But he’s a really gifted player who played mostly at centre half or left back, so we’ll have a look at him… In actual fact he’s come in and done really well.”

Despite the club potentially viewing these as future assets, Rodgers is firmly claiming ownership of their progress and development.

Another new addition, Shin Yamada, arrived from Kawasaki Frontale aged 25 — an experienced player by comparison, but having come through the Japanese college system also a late starter, so he’s arguably one who will still need to adapt to Celtic’s demanding tactical structure.

Rodgers sounded cautiously optimistic about Yamada’s profile but hinted at the challenge ahead.

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)

“Yamada is only in the door. He has the profile and attributes we really like but for me, there is still more work for us to do.”

The manager’s comments suggest Yamada will be expected to operate in a dual-role tactical system. Breaking down deep, compact defences in domestic competition while shifting into a fast, transitional style for European nights. It’s a demanding task, and one Rodgers acknowledges may take time to master.

Rodgers also reflected on the contributions and learning curves of last summer’s key acquisitions, each of whom arrived late in the 2024 summer window and were forced to adapt quickly to a completely new environment.

Rodgers praised Adam Idah’s contribution after scoring over 20 goals in his first full season following a £9m permanent move from Norwich –

“Adam Idah scored over 20 goals and still has improvements to make.”

After a successful initial six-month loan, and late signing last summer on a permanent basis, this pre-season will be the striker’s first full preparation period with the squad — something Rodgers clearly views as crucial for further development.

Arne Engels, signed from Augsburg for £11m, had to quickly transition from playing once a week in a mid-table Bundesliga side to Celtic’s relentless, almost, three-games-a-week schedule. Rodgers highlighted the physical demands and adaptation period involved –

“Arne Engels, his running power, was really helpful for us, he’s a young player who will get better.”

Rodgers acknowledged that adapting to Celtic’s mixed tactical approach — switching from offensive, possession-heavy domestic games to more cautious counter-attacking setups in Europe — can be a culture shock, regardless of the player’s origin or price tag.

Auston Trusty of Celtic 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)

Rodgers also praised Auston Trusty, a £6m signing from Sheffield United, for his European performances, despite the lack of a proper pre-season:

“Auston Trusty was outstanding in the Champions League…”

However, he acknowledged the defender still needs to grow when playing in domestic matches where he’s expected to help progress the ball –

“…But in games where he was expected to progress the ball against domestic opposition, he looked like he still needed time to adapt.”

While Rodgers is content to work with young talents and develop future stars, his message to the club is unambiguous, Celtic need signings who can make an immediate impact, and it’s perhaps those comments which will assure fans further recruitment of first team ready players will still come in over the course of the transfer window.

“For me, it’s just about getting quality players and ones I can develop and who improve Celtic.”

“Whether a player costs £250,000 or £12m, I’m not really concerned… I just need quality players.”

Rodgers acknowledges the complexity of the current transfer market, but he’s urging action to ensure the squad is ready to compete across all fronts.

“The market is not as easy as it may seem, but I am very confident as a club we will bring in the right players.”

“We all know we’ve lost goals and would love to replace it with quality.”

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)

Rodgers isn’t just looking to the future — he’s demanding players who can win today, tomorrow and the next week, making it clear that while development is essential, success in the present is non-negotiable.

It’s rare to see the manager quite so open about his squad or signing targets. But it may also be the case his comments will be for the support and the dressing room to consume and absorb.

However, there’s also a message for those carrying out and hopefully concluding Celtic’s transfer business.

Rodgers is showing patience for now, but it is clear he expects to see new recruits, but players ready to hit the ground running to come in alongside the players he is happy to develop.

It will be interesting to see how that develops over the course of the next 5 weeks or so and how the manager reacts as the days and weeks remaining in the transfer window progress.

Niall J

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