Brendan Rodgers final night time insisted Celtic nonetheless have ‘lots of work to do’ within the switch market — as he revealed he isn’t conscious of any motion on a brand new deal for Daizen Maeda.
The Parkhead boss noticed his facet hammer Newcastle United yesterday by means of an Arne Engels penalty and efforts from Johnny Kenny, Yang Hyun-jun and Liam Scales.
New Japanese striker Shin Yamada, the membership’s sixth top-team signing of pre-season, was additionally paraded pre-match, however Rodgers is insistent that he wants extra objectives in his facet and wishes his workforce to be strengthened all throughout the entrance line earlier than the tip of subsequent month.
With Maeda now coming into the final two years of his present contract, there have been rumours of a breakthrough on a brand new deal after a interval of limbo amid curiosity in his providers from elsewhere, however nothing concrete as but.
Celtic are on the path of Royal Antwerp attacker Michel-Ange Balikwisha in addition to being linked with Louis Munteanu of Romanian outfit Cluj — and Rodgers is evident on the very fact a lot must be addressed by way of bolstering the squad within the
wake of promoting Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes for £10million in January and hauling in £17m from Como for Nicolas Kuhn earlier within the month.
Rodgers insisted Celtic nonetheless hope to herald new faces earlier than the switch deadline
New signing Shin Yamada was launched to supporters forward of the match at Celtic Park
Maeda tussles with Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier throughout the 4-0 win at Celtic Park
‘We’ve nonetheless bought lots of work to do, however the guys which are coaching and dealing with us are doing so properly,’ he stated. ‘You noticed that at present.
‘I’d count on us, by the tip of the window, to have introduced in gamers in sure areas of the pitch that we have to undergo a very lengthy season.
‘I believe it’s about bringing objectives to the squad. Whenever you’ve simply scored 4 objectives, that appears to be OK, however we misplaced an necessary participant in January in Kyogo and we’ve misplaced Nicolas Kuhn, lots of objectives once more. Even Matt O’Riley final summer time.
‘Though we scored lots of objectives final season, we nonetheless need extra, and our ambition is to have extra, so I believe, all throughout the entrance areas, we’ve to be lively in an effort to give us that depth.’
Requested if there had been any progress on negotiations with Maeda and his advisors, Rodgers replied: ‘Not that I’m conscious of. However he’s an expert and his focus may be very a lot on right here.’
Regardless of on the lookout for added placing energy, Rodgers has said that new boy Yamada will convey extra tempo to the workforce than buzzbomb Maeda.
Tierney was afforded a heat welcome by followers on his return and arrange Scales for his aim
‘His profile fits how we play,’ he stated. ‘He’s one of many quickest gamers from the Japanese league. He’s even faster than Daizen and Kyogo by way of statistics, and that’s how we play, with that velocity within the prime line. I’m actually wanting ahead to seeing what he can convey.’
Rodgers was additionally delighted to see Kieran Tierney, who arrange Scales for his aim with a wonderful cross, obtain a thunderous reception when approaching within the second half.
‘I wished him to get a particular welcome again, as a result of, at his age, he may simply be taking part in on the prime finish of the (English) Premier League,’ he stated. ‘To get a participant of that stage is wonderful for us.’
