Celtic signed nine players this summer under Rodgers, but the Parkhead manager admits he would have loved to add more had given more opportunities arose. Furthermore, Rodgers reveals he is already making plans for January’s transfer window.

Irishman Sean McCarthy came under scrutiny for signing inexperienced players following their Champions League loss against Rotterdam. Odin Thiago Holm and Gustaf Lagerbielke earned avoidable red cards as the result.

1. Tomoki Iwata

Tomoki Iwata has joined Celtic on loan from Yokohama F Marinos until the end of this season in order to add some versatility to their squad. Ange Postecoglou managed him during his time at Marinos and will welcome back into their fold once more.

Last season, the 25-year-old won the J League title with Marinos and has four caps for Japan. At Parkhead he joins fellow Japanese Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi – as well as other players such as Kyogo Furuhashi who currently holds that honour.

2. Maik Nawrocki

Celtic have lost three regular members from their treble-winning squad in Jota, Carl Starfelt and Aaron Mooy but their replacements are mainly younger; aside from Luis Palma and Odin Thiago Holm all of the new signings are aged in their 20s.

Maik Nawrocki may be the most costly signing this summer, but he already looks like a useful addition to Celtic’s defense. A former Werder Bremen youth international who spent a season-long loan spell at Legia Warsaw before making the switch permanent last year.

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3. Hyun-jun Yang

Over the past 12 months, Celtic players who are looking forward have likely endured an uphill struggle. With Kristoffer Ajer, Leo Hjelde and Oko-Flex having left as free agents along with Jota being sold off at discounted transfer fees respectively; all have left significant gaps within their squads.

Rodgers and his recruitment team are moving into a phase where their focus will be to find players who will directly enhance the first-team match squad – something which won’t come cheap.

4. Aaron Mooy

After suffering the loss of Jota and Carl Starfelt through injury, Celtic supporters demanded more signings this season. Although 10 newcomers such as Tomoki Iwata, Luis Palma, Odin Thiago Holm and Gustaf Lagerbielke joined their ranks – their average age being only 21 – this may not satisfy everyone.

Born in Sydney, Mooy made his professional debut for St Mirren before switching to Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City before leaving Manchester City during two COVID-19 interrupted years and joining Huddersfield Town, Brighton and Shanghai SIPG both temporarily and eventually on permanent deal.

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5. Albian Ajeti

Basel have launched an ambitious bid to entice unwanted Celtic striker Albian Ajeti back to Switzerland either on loan or permanently. Their president used to play alongside him while at Swiss champions Basel during two of his final seasons of professional career.

Rodgers will need to become familiar with new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s system in order to be successful under him, especially considering he recorded the lowest single-season passer rating of his career last season due to injuries.

6. Nadir Barkas

Sports media bears some responsibility here; although Russini never claimed Rodgers ordered those players be acquired, their acquisition depicted it as such in media accounts.

Celtic Park manager Neil Lennon did not seem pleased with his side’s transfer activity when speaking before Saturday’s trip to Livingston. While every manager would want more signings, work is already being undertaken for January and next summer’s signings.

7. Nathaniel Phillips

Phillips played 17 games last season as Bournemouth won promotion back to the Premier League, and may return against Livingston on Saturday following an injury to his cheekbone.

Phillips assisted Diogo Jota’s second goal during Tuesday’s Champions League defeat of Rotterdam and remains uncertain for next week’s trip to Livingston. A roster overhaul could come next summer due to several players entering their last year of their contracts.

8. Paulo Bernardo

Celtic have signed nine players this summer (ten if Tomoki Iwata’s buy-clause is included), yet Rodgers would have liked more done. “All managers want more,” he noted.

Nat Phillips and Paulo Bernardo are two younger players that recently joined Celtic this season, though both defenders were sent off during their Champions League group stage opener against Feyenoord, leaving an inexperienced squad on the pitch.

9. Kristian Lagerbielke

Parkhead club had an active transfer window. Odsonne Edouard decided to leave for Crystal Palace for over PS16 million, leaving a huge void at Parkhead but their defense has been strengthened thanks to Kristian Lagerbielke from Bayern Munich who will become their permanent signing.

Rodgers acknowledges, as would any manager, he would have liked more done during this month’s transfer window closure, yet maintains it remains a strong squad.