BRENDAN RODGERS will be backed by the board if he believes the time is right to break Celtic’s transfer record that has stood for 18 years.
That’s the verdict of Hoops assistant boss Chris Davies as the champions scour the transfer market for reinforcements to help the push for the club’s second successive domestic clean sweep.
Martin O’Neill paid £6million fees for Chris Sutton, John Hartson and Neil Lennon to lure them from their English clubs in 2000.
However, no Parkhead gaffer has gone above that figure in the intervening years.
But Davies insisted Rodgers would be given the go-ahead by Peter Lawwell and the board if he decided to top that fee.
The Celts have spent £1million on RB Liepzig central defender Marvin Compper and £300,000 on St Mirren winger Lewis Morgan while landing something in the region of £7.5million as part of the contract that saw Virgil van Dijk sold to Southampton before his world record switch to Liverpool for £75million this month.
Davies said: “Van Dijk has been a good deal and Celtic have benefited from it. Brendan and Peter Lawwell are working to try and find the right player and Brendan is confident he will be supported if the right one becomes available.
“If it is the right player we all feel is worth that money – and can really take us forward – then I’m sure Brendan would be supported in that.
“We could just bring players in almost for the sake of it. You pay fees, they are not quite right, but you are getting your numbers in.
“However, to protect the club and make sure we are doing the right thing for them and the team, we want to make sure it is the right player.”
NEW CQN PODCAST OUT TONIGHT WITH THE ORIGINAL HOLY GOALIE, JOHN FALLON
A Celtic State of Mind presents its 31st instalment of insightful discussion around the culture of Celtic Football Club, the city of Glasgow, and fans of the reigning treble-winning Scottish champions.
Paul John Dykes and Kevin Graham are joined by Lisbon Lion, John Fallon, at The Penalty Spot in Glasgow.
The interview took place as part of A Celtic State of Mind’s first live event – Five-a-sides at The Penalty Spot – and, as such, there is some background noise (including mobile interference – apologies) from the audience.
John – The Original Holy Goalie – discusses pay disputes, bonus rows, cigarettes & alcohol at Seamill, breaking up The Lisbon Lions and The Quality Street Gang, the battle of Montevideo, his volatile relationship with Jock Stein, and he finally tells the full story behind his European Cup winners’ medal.
The CQN Podcast has gone from strength-to-strength over the last few months, and there are many more guests lined up in the months ahead from the world of sport, music, film, art, broadcasting, literature and politics.
Our first two editions of 2018 have attracted huge audiences for the interviews with former Celtic Director Tom Grant them politician and life long Celtic supporter Tommy Sheridan, who likes a rant!
Talking about rants, we hand over to the Original Holy Goalie, when it comes to matters concerning Celtic, he has an opinion on everything. Legend!
Connect with A Celtic State of Mind @PaulDykes, @anorthernprose and @CQNMagazine and subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or through your podcast player.
Order Jim Craig’s new Lisbon Lion Diary – Right Back to 67 from CQNBookstore.co.uk and you will receive a signed copy from the man himself plus a FREE copy of That Season in Paradise – Ten Months of Celtic Heaven signed by fellow Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld! Simply order Jim Craig – Right Back to 67 and the second book will be sent automatically. Stocks are running very low so hurry!
