The actual figure will be between the manager and the club hierarchy, but a ballpark figure of £30million was mentioned in the summer. Since then, the champions have sold Filipe Jota and Carl Starfelt.
Hopefully. I think you can see we need that quality; we’ve had quality go out of the building so we definitely need that quality in.
Sutton is fairly new to Celtic failing to build from a position of strength, while there is a Lawwell presence anywhere near the club doing the absolute minimum will always be the mantra.
Ange Postecoglou and Rodgers have both been fulsome in their praise of the work done by Lawwell Jr but there was no suggestion that the Australian wanted to take Mark with him to Spurs.
Anyone that watches the Celtic duo knows that they are a cut above players that are routinely traded around the EPL for £20-30m.
The recently returned manager knows as well as anyone what will be required for the Derby match which is followed by a demanding autumn schedule around Champions League midweeks.
Rodgers has to make Celtic’s interests his priority but is mindful of the player needing to be involved every week as he was last season.
Hatate looked in absolute top form when Celtic played Yokohama F Marinos and Gamba Osaka but looked badly off the pace in his 45 minute appearance against Athletic Bilbao.
Behind his friendly, supportive demeanour Rodgers cuts very little slack with his players, he demands and expects complete concentration and dedication.
Getting Johnston back into the side to the right of Cameron Carter-Vickers will bring some stability to the Celtic defence after the pre-season disruptions, giving Rodgers a better idea of what is required to strengthen his defence.