A RELAXED Brendan Rodgers spoke about Celtic’s pursuit of Adam Idah and the up-to-date bulletin on Matt O’Riley.
Quizzed on reports of an enhanced bid for the Norwich City striker who scored nine goals in 19 loan appearances last season, the Hoops boss answered: “I am hoping by the end of the window that it can be done with some others.
“God willing, we can get that sorted along with one or two other players.”
Asked about midfielder O’Riley with Brighton appearing to be the latest club who want one of his key men, Rodgers replied: “Matt’s a good guy, his training is exemplary and if a club meets the valuation that the club thinks he is worth and can go then that will happen.
JUST CAPITAL…two-goal Adam Idah leads the joy Bhoys following their 2-1 win over Hibs in Edinburgh in February – the last time Celtic played at Easter Road.
“But, first and foremost, we don’t want Matt to go. We know the club’s model and how it works, but there’s no rush to move Matt.
“We would love him to stay here. I can see it in himself – he’s really happy. If you have the chance to change the conditions in your life and a club makes an offer that is of great value, then you have to look at it.
“Part of improving our squad is getting all the players of quality in. We always have to be ready and braced for that. It can’t be a surprise.
“There always needs to be that contingency in place, for sure.”
Looking ahead, Rodgers, speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s match against Hibs at Easter Road, said: “I think at this stage of the season – between now and the international break – there’s arguably not too many changes to your team.
“It’s more when you get in after the international break and then you’re through into European football where you make changes. Not too many, though, because you want consistency in the team.
“Even if we had the squad that we wanted at this point in time, there still might not have been many changes, because if you’re winning, working and playing well, then you might not need to.
IT TAKES TWO…Matt O’Riley and Daizen Maeda celebrate last season and the talented double-act could be reunited at Easter Road on Sunday.
“I just think going forward with everything else and coaching time then you want to have the players in as soon as possible. Hopefully, before the end of the window, the gaps that are clear in the squad and that we need to improve are acted on, whilst never shutting the door to our young players.”
Rodgers added: “I know that supporters want to see that team on the pitch and, as managers, we want the players in quickly and integrated.
“At the end of it, if we can get to the end of August and have a stronger squad than what we finished with last season, it will still be a successful window for us.”
The Hoops gaffer has revealed Daizen Maeda, who missed the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock at Parkhead on Flag Day, will be fit to face David Gray’s men in the capital on Sunday.
Evergreen James Forrest kicked off on the left against the Rugby Park outfit before making way for Luis Palma in the second-half.
Rodgers now has a problem to solve to choose among the Scot, Honduran and the Japanese for the encounter in Leith.
But, as the champions’ chief always insists, it’s a happy problem!
