BRENDAN RODGERS is “hopeful” of adding to his squad before Celtic’s first leg Champions League play-off first leg encounter against Kairat Almaty at Parkhead on Wednesday.
The Hoops boss has until 48 hours before the kick-off to add two new recruits to strengthen his player pool before this season’s European adventure gets underway.
The second leg of an intriguing tie is due in Kazakhstan six days later against the team who knocked out Slovan Bratislava on penalty-kicks on Tuesday in the Slovakian capital, as CQN reported.
Rodgers has added seven new Bhoys to his first-team list, with Kieran Tierney, Benjamin Nygren and Shin Yamada already featuring in the back-to-back Premiership victories over t Mirren in the east end of Glasgow and Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Brendan Rodgers with £1.7million recruit Benjamin Nygren.
Asked about the chances of potential new faces, the Celtic gaffer said: “Hopeful would be the answer to that.
“We have right up until, I believe it’s the day before the game, to change our squad, so, hopefully, that can be the case. We hope that we can improve it and by then we will do.”
This time last year, the champions introduced three deadline-day signings in the shape of £11million midfielder Arne Engels, £6million USA international central defender Auston Trusty and Dundee skipper Luke McCowan at £1million.
Rodgers pointed out the club have tended to get business concluded towards the end of the windows.
The Irishman, speaking to BBC Scotland, added: “I’m philosophical about it.
“What has gone unnoticed a little bit is that we’ve made a really good start – two really good wins, played well and I know we’ll get better.
“I can’t knock the performances over the two games to get the results. Sometimes that has been clouded a wee bit in all the negativity around the transfers.
“Hopefully, we can come out of the end of the market in a good place.”
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v Falkirk this evening – only in your champion CQN.
