Alan Stubbs yesterday spoke to the mainstream media ahead of Celtic’s Scottish Cup quarter-final against Livingston at Celtic Park. The former Celtic defender was doing promotional work the Scottish Cup broadcasting partner Viaplay.
Stubbs has Celtic’s interests at heart when it comes to considering the ups and downs of Scottish football and he’s more concerned about the Hoops than at any time in the last few years. The Englishman reckons that there are little signs that Brendan Rodgers is displaying that show that he is far from happy with this Celtic squad.
And he believes that there are going to be big changes happening at his old club this summer, regardless of the outcome in the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup campaigns, where Celtic are of course the current holders after winning the Treble last season.
The League Cup has already moved across the city and as far as the Celtic support is concerned that is more than plenty.
Big changes at Celtic this summer
So Stubbs reckons that that there are going to be BIG changes this summer, regardless of the outcome of the title race and Celtic’s defence of the Scottish Cup.
“I am surprised but I am also not because of Celtic’s lack of activity in the transfer window. I think Celtic have been in a really strong position the last few years because they have been so much better than (the)Rangers not just on the pitch but also off the pitch,” Alan Stubbs said as reported by Football Scotland.
“I think they’ve thought that they were good enough with what they’ve had rather than keep driving forward. Sometimes they have taken chances with players from a very different market that they’d normally deal in.
Failed to put theRangers to the sword
“Some of the signings have been huge successes. Some have not been. That is down to recruitment and when Celtic had the chance to strengthen and put the sword to (the)Rangers in January they were found wanting.
“They never got what they wanted and if whatever targets they identified didn’t become available then so be it. That happens in football but you also have to plan for that and it is as if Celtic have just said we haven’t got them and done nothing about it.
“I think we all understand and realise that Brendan was surely given assurances when he came back that this was going to happen (Celtic would sign quality players). That hasn’t happened.
Brendan’s body language
“Looking at Brendan’s body language you can see that he can’t come out and say it but he has to do what he can with this group of players until the end of the season. Once he gets to the end of the season you will see a lot of changes at Celtic, irrespective of what happens and I believe Brendan will give recommendations to the board that there are a lot of players in that squad whom he will want to be moved on.
“I am just not sure what direction the club is going in right now. The fans are asking a lot of questions. I think there is a section of Celtic supporters who are disgruntled not just in terms of the way the team are playing but with the recruitment policy as a whole.
“Would they be wrong in saying these things? No, I can see exactly why they are disgruntled.”
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