BRENDAN RODGERS has revealed he is already preparing to strengthen Celtic in the January transfer window.
The Hoops boss oversaw £18.25 million worth of incoming deals in the summer with players such as Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbiekle, Luis Palma and Odin Holm being introduced to the champions.
However, there are some critics who insist the Parkhead hierarchy should have splashed more cash as they freshened up the treble-winning squad that saw Filipe Jota and Carl Starfelt sold and Aaron Mooy retire just before his 33rd birthday.
Rodgers, who is getting his players ready for the 12.30pm kick-off against Livingston in West Lothian on Saturday, said: “If you ask any manager they’ll always be wanting more, of course. But we work with the players who are here.
WAITING GAME…Nat Phillips is doubtful for the match at Livingston.
“I’m not saying that in any disrespectful way, but every manager will tell you they maybe wish they could have done one or two more signings. However, the window closed.
“We had the players we had in and I’m a coach and manager and we will work with the very best players at our disposal to make our performance level the best we can possibly be and now we’re preparing already for the January window.”
Liverpool loanee Nat Phillips, who made his debut and played the first-half of the 3-0 home win over Dundee five days ago, wasn’t considered fit enough for the opening Champions League squad for the 2-0 loss against Feyenoord in Rotterdam – and he could also sit out the match against David Martindale’s side.
Rodgers, speaking to Sky Sports, added: “We’ll see how Nat is. He obviously rolled his ankle quite badly last weekend and missed the week.
“We’ve still got another 24 hours to go before we make the team, but apart from that everyone else is okay. Reo Hatate got more game time and is still finding his way to fitness, so it was good to get him on the field on Tuesday.
“Other than that, no other injuries. Cameron Carter-Vickers will be early October, so he’s still a bit away.”
🍀 Switching back to Scottish Premiership
🍀 Phillips remains a doubt for Livingston
🍀 Carter-Vickers update
🍀 Emotional fall-out from CL defeat
🍀 Martindale reunionWe've been speaking to Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers ahead of Saturday's game vs Livi, live on Sky Sports 📺 pic.twitter.com/LPP8dMWzah
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) September 21, 2023
