Dermot Desmond Has Different Celtic Vision From Brendan Rodgers, Martin O’Neill Suggests | OneFootball

Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has suggested that the club’s majority shareholder – Dermot Desmond – has a different vision from Brendan Rodgers in the transfer market.

Talking about the slow transfer dealings this summer and the manager’s comments hinting at wanting more recruits in the door, O’Neill was asked by the Daily Record if Desmond and Rodgers have different views. “Absolutely no question about it,” was the Irishman’s reply.

He continued: “Dermot will have a vision of the football club but as a club owner or as a major shareholder and the person who’s making the decisions, he might see going forward in a different light than the manager.

“Seriously, he might not always think that spending £14m or £15m pounds on a player is necessarily the way to go. And we’d have to say that in terms of the dealings in recent times, he might be right.

“Now, I don’t know what players Brendan’s looking for. He’ll be looking to improve the team. And I’m quite sure, honestly, I’m quite sure he’ll do that.”

Although Celtic did break their transfer record last season, it came at a time when the club was as cash rich as it has ever been, when Champions League prize money was the highest it has ever been and when modern football prices dictate that such a fee is not actually that high comparable to other deals. Engels may not have set the world alight yet but he’s a young man who has had just one season at Paradise, he may yet come good and Celtic will be looking to recoup their fee or make considerable profit when he does move on.

Most fans and probably the manager are less concerned with the fee than the quality of the player coming in, and the quantity at this range with so many positions looking light.

Hopefully the board and management find common ground soon.