Rodgers MUST demand finances from Celtic board as club chiefs told what they NEED to do

It has been another Champions League campaign to forget for the Parkhead side with the efforts this season returning just one point from five games with Feyenoord at home essentially a dead-rubber.

Brendan Rodgers MUST demand financial backing from the Celtic board to bring in ‘better quality’ in order to challenge in Europe.

That’s the view of former Hoops striker John Hartson who has told the club hierarchy exactly what they must do. It has been another Champions League campaign to forget for the Parkhead side with the efforts this season returning just one point from five games. Callum McGregor and Co have been competitive in games but it is that bit of magic missing to turn games in their favour that many teams at the very top level have within their ranks.

Rodgers said after the game against Lazio that quality was the conspicuous missing piece, and now Hartson has instructed the board to dig deep. He’s questioned if they were paying attention to what the manager said in Rome, and whether the goal is simply to win domestic cups and titles or to build a name for themselves at Europe’s top table. To make the latter work, he knows his previous team has to acquire four to six top players at that level.

Speaking on Go Radio, Hartson said: “It is very disappointing. You’ve got to ask yourself the question or ask Celtic the question, ‘Are they happy winning titles every year, finishing above Rangers, winning Trebles and doubles?’ Because to compete in the Champions League – which is the holy grail – you’ve got to have a better quality of player.

“You need four, five or six top, top players at that level. All I keep hearing from Brendan is we need more quality, we lack quality. Quality is the word. So are the board listening? Is Brendan forceful in terms of I want to bring in a better quality of player?

“You can compete in the Champions League every year and be disappointing, to say the least, and that is what Celtic have been for a number of years now.” Brendan must go to the board and say, “If you want me to compete in Europe, you have to give me the funds to bring in a higher-quality player.” If you want me to win league titles, cups and Trebles I can possibly do it with the group that I have’.

“But going into the Champions League they need a better quality of player. You have to ask Celtic where they are, where they want to go and what they are happy with. That for me is what they need to do.”