Opinion: Why Brendan Rodgers is likely to get tense this January 2025

B-Rodge (what do people of this new Americanised nickname that has emerged for the Gaffer?!) at the press conference before the Glasgow derby did seem more tense than usual, and it is not hard to see why.

Every transfer window is a battle between the Celtic Manager & the Celtic Directors – it always has been that way since the days of Jock Stein, who was constantly in a battle with the Celtic Board for more money to be spent on players. This is just the way it goes at Celtic.

At the heart of Celtic is a constant battle between financial diligence & spending on the best players – we don’t want to be ‘biscuit tin’, but at the same time we can’t be profligate spenders & risk financial disaster - tension in respect of this between the Manager & the Board is a healthy sign for the Club as it is so important that the balance is struck correctly.

There is also the problem of quality players who are an important part of the squad & the group, but are not playing as much as they would like, so want to leave - this presents the extremely difficult problem of trying to replace them at short notice, because as we know so well the squad & substitutions are so crucial in modern football - games are won & lost in the last 30 minutes and the cavalry entering the game later off the bench to be heroes are pivotal.

This January 2025 transfer window also comes at the same time as having 2 Gladiatorial Champions League games this month, one of monumental importance against YB Berne at Celtic Park on January 22nd, & the Bhoys also travel to Peaky Blinder territory Birmingham for a ‘Battle of Britain’ showdown against Aston Villa!

This is therefore perhaps the most stressful transfer window ever for the Celtic Board & the Manager! Ever meaning ever!

So, all things considered, this is is pure nail-biting action & so exciting to watch! What a month we have ahead!