BRENDAN RODGERS has admitted he is in no rush to splash the cash – even if Celtic pick up £20million-plus of Champions League money.
The Hoops aim to finish off the job against Hapoel Be’er Sheva in tomorrow’s second leg play-off after winning 5-2 in Glasgow last week.
And Rodgers laughed off rumours he was about to spend the potential cash windfall on on veteran superstars such as Germany’s Bastian Schweinsteiger or Qatar-based Barcelona legend Xavi.
He said: “I just need the best player. It doesn’t have to be a marquee signing. For me, it’s never been about the name.”
The Parkhead gaffer’s options for tomorrow’s tie in Israel have been given a boost with the return of on-loan winger Patrick Roberts, who has been out since damaging a hamstring in the 2-1 home win over Astana in the previous qualifier.
The 19-year-old joined the rest of the squad on the flight yesterday after doing some light training last week. Rodgers will assess the player’s fitness in tonight’s eve-of-clash session at the Turner Stadium ahead of the match which could put the champions into the group stages after two consecutive failures under Ronny Deila..
Mikael Lustig also travelled for the money-spinning make-or-break 90 minutes. The versatile Swedish international defender had to come off injured during last week’s triumph.
He wasn’t risked in the 4-2 league win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park at the weekend, but Rodgers believes he will be fit to play if he’s required.
