‘We need pipeline at Parkhead to replace big players’

BRENDAN RODGERS has cautioned that Celtic’s long-term vision to ensure the continued success of the club has to be in the establishment of a “pipeline” of players ready to come in, in preparation of others going out.

Speaking as Moussa Dembele and Craig Gordon were the subject of formal interest from Chelsea while Kieran Tierney was the subject of speculation linking him with a move to Sunderland, Rodgers admitted that it is vital for the Parkhead side that they know where they are going if and when they lose some of their significant players.

In the past few seasons Celtic have made substantial profits from the sale of players to the English Premier League with Virgil van Dijk, Victor Wanyama, Fraser Forster, Gary Hooper and Kelvin Wilson reaping in excess of £40m.

Signed for just £500,000 from Fulham this summer, Dembele is the latest player who fits that blueprint. The striker has netted 20 goals in 38 appearances with speculation about his long-term future kicking off within months of him arriving at the club following his Champions League performances for the Parkhead side.

Gordon was the subject of a second bid by Chelsea yesterday while Tierney is a player whom Rodgers fully expects will play at the very top level.

And as the final day of the transfer window loomed, Rodgers reiterated his wish to keep his squad intact while acknowledging that Celtic need to establish a strategy to ensure continued success while always being vulnerable to stars leaving for wealthier leagues.

“Of course as a manager and a coach you want to keep your team together for as long as you can, create that environment of winning and keep developing,” Rodgers told Talksport.

“But what is more important is that we have a pipeline in place to replace players because naturally they will leave and you want other s ready to come in.”