£60m to fund instant fightback
COULD BE GOING Odsonne Edouard
CHRIS SUTTON reckons it would take at least £60million for Celtic to get their title back next term.
The former Parkhead striker believes the size of the necessary squad overhaul means it would require such an outlandish outlay for an instant fightback unless a patient approach is adopted for the rebuild.
He says improvements to the squad are a must. And with key stars Odsonne Edouard, Kristoffer Ajer and Ryan Christie possibly leaving and many loan signings returning to clubs, he believes it would take extraordinary summer investment to have them back challenging for the crown in 2021-22.
He told the Record Celtic Podcast: “There’s needs to be patience from the support for the new man because of the condition the club is in. Celtic are going to go through some hard yards next season.
“Hopefully, they’ll come out the following season and really be able to push. But this rebuild isn’t going to happen overnight.
“That would be absolute miracle stuff unless Dermot Desmond turns around and says, ‘Well I’m backing the manager to a tune of £50m or £60m’ to allow signings to come in to really push Rangers.
“I’ve spoken about players who are going to leave in Edouard, Christie, Ajer. They have talented players such as Callum McGregor, David Turnbull, James Forrest. Christopher Jullien will come back eventually and hopefully he’ll be the same player as that’d be a massive bonus.
“Everything needs to be right for Celtic to challenge again and it’s not going to happen in one or two months. We’ll be watching Champions League qualifiers through the fingers again.”
‘I notice John Kennedy’s name is being bandied around for the Aberdeen job. I hope he takes it. UnfortunatelyCelticfans,hewon’t’ said: “So much for the so-called gentleman Stevie Gerrard. What a comment by him – he said, ‘... you have to realise what these people have been through’.
“What about the ones who have had Covid and lost family members? Does he not realise what they have been through? It was a crass statement.”
Lewis Doyle, Tipperary, said: “I was watching the news the other night and a Rangers supporter was being interviewed. I thought I was watching ‘Only an Excuse?’ The last couple of days have clearly shown just how much Rangers supporters lack class.”
Ian McKendrick, Glasgow, said: “To all of the Celtic fans going on about the Rangers fans in George Square, would they like to comment on the barriers being thrown outside Parkhead not so long ago?”
But Brian Quinn, Paisley, said: “Our club need to apologise for the behaviour of our fans and for not doing enough to discourage it.”
Now to Pittodrie as Jake Curley emailed: “It’s sad to see McInnes leave as they were the official opposition to Celtic for nine years. They pushed a great Celtic side so close and that’s quite something to get within 20 points at the end of a nail-biting season.”
William Masson, Aboyne, said: “Almost eight years of steady and consistent results, now sacked for a poor run over 13 games. His successor has big shoes to fill. Also, sad to hear of the passing of commentary legend Alastair Alexander.”
Jimmy Murray, Edinburgh, said: “I notice John Kennedy’s name is being bandied round for the Dons job. I hope he takes it. Unfortunately for Celtic fans, he won’t. He’s been pampered at Parkhead for 20 years.”
Tam Bain emailed: “The board should look to someone who is held in the highest regard and bring in the best money can get. I don’t think our supporters will accept anything less.”