Brendan Rodgers Optimistic About Strengthening Celtic Squad Ahead of Champions League Play-off
Brendan Rodgers is optimistic about enhancing his Celtic squad ahead of the Champions League play-off against Kairat Almaty.
The Scottish Premiership champions will host the Kazakh team in the first leg on Wednesday, with the return match scheduled for six days later.
Last season, Celtic successfully advanced to the knockout phase play-off.
During this summer transfer window, Rodgers has brought in seven new players, three of whom have already participated in the current campaign.
When asked about potential new signings, Rodgers expressed hope, stating, "Hopefully would be the answer to that. We have until the day before the game to make changes to our squad, so I am hopeful we can improve it by then."
Rodgers noted that Celtic has historically conducted more transfer business toward the end of the window, and with over two weeks remaining, he remains philosophical about the process.
He remarked, "What has gone unnoticed is that we’ve made a strong start, securing two impressive wins against St Mirren and Aberdeen. I know we will continue to improve. I can’t fault the performances in these two games that led to positive results, despite some negativity surrounding transfers. I hope we can emerge from the transfer market in a strong position."
Celtic previously faced another Kazakh team, Astana, in the Champions League group stages in 2018, during Rodgers’ first tenure as manager in Glasgow.
Regarding the upcoming tie with Kairat and the 7,000-mile trip to Almaty in southeastern Kazakhstan, Rodgers acknowledged, "Everyone would have preferred a closer opponent, but it is what it is. We have experience from previous encounters, and in the first leg, we aim to set a high standard on Wednesday. We will prepare to qualify in the return match next week. This is a significant game, and we will be ready for it."
In other news, Rodgers expressed confidence that last season’s top scorer, Daizen Maeda, will remain with the team when the transfer window closes. The 27-year-old Japanese forward, who has yet to score this season, has two years left on his contract.
Rodgers commented, "There have been discussions happening in the background, but I don’t have any updates at this moment," hinting at a potential new deal for Maeda. "He has been with us for four years and has progressed each year, finishing last season strongly. Daizen always gives 100%."