Within a fortnight of Postecoglou leaving Rodgers was back at the club but it is hard to believe that he is in charge despite his recent claims over recruitment.
In the bigger picture he distanced himself from recruitment during the summer, putting his trust in the brilliant judgement of Mark Lawwell to deliver the players required to make progress.
Returning to Celtic in the summer surely things would be different, surely Rodgers had done his due diligence, especially with two Lawwell’s now in senior positions.
Back in August, before losing to Kilmarnock in the League Cup Rodgers explained that his role was to coach and develop the players supplied by the club. On his return he had highlighted the great work by Lawwell Mini, one of the factors that made him decide on another stint…
All eyes are on Lawwell Mini to see if he can buck the trend and deliver players capable of going into the team and improving things rather than bloating the wage bill.
Selling Jota and Carl Starfelt at the same time as Aaron Mooy retired has trimmed quality from the squad. Injuries to Reo Hatate, Liel Abada and Daizen Maeda has left Rodgers with just four or five reliable performers forced into carrying others that are miles short of the standard required.
A focussed approach to recruitment is required- the big issue is whether Lawwell Junior knows of players over the age of 23 that can improve the Celtic team, over three transfer windows his only success so far is Alistair Johnston with half a dozen or more failing miserably.
Having been lured to Celtic over the last 18 months players won’t be accepting transfers and pay cuts just because of a change in circumstances at their employer. The wishes of the manager will be very difficult to execute.
Since Lawwell took charge of recruitment only Alistair Johnston has arrived to go straight into the Starting XI with the January transfer window critical to improve on the quality available to Rodgers.
Listen, we have enough – what I would say – development players. I think it is clear. And I love that, it is what I have done all my life is work with those players.