Brendan Rodgers will be eyeing great success in Europe this season.
Last season saw Celtic continue to dominate domestically. Another treble last season saw the Hoops complete successive treble successes, and establish themselves as a true force of Scottish football. In will take a monumental effort for another club to catch up with them.
That said, Rodgers will not be resting on his laurels. After crashing out of both the Champions League and Europa League, Rodgers will be aware the next step is to improve the side to a point they can compete on the European stage.
Rodgers will be aware of the need for increasingly strong quality to come to Celtic Park. Not progressing means moving backwards, and Celtic will not want another Scottish club to gain ground on them. Celtic have a very strong spine, with the likes of Scott Brown, Mikael Lustig and Scott Sinclair, but putting real quality around players like this could drive the Hoops on to the next level,
With that in mind, here are two players Rodgers will be fuming Celtic have not signed…
Celtic were interested in a deal for the Newcastle United defender, but they missed out to Porto.
Mbemba is valued at £6m by Transfermarkt.
The centre-back would have added crucial strength in depth at the back. With Celtic nearly always going deep into domestic cup competitions, as well as competing in Europe, the Hoops have to play so many games. Mbemba is a player of real quality who could be utilised as a big presence in the side when needed.
The 23-year-old Mbemba has experience whilst also possessing the capability to improve.
Brendan Rodgers will be bitterly disappointed the club missed out on Mbemba’s signature.
Max Meyer is being hunted by Crystal Palace.
The attacking midfielder is valued at £18m by Transfermarkt. The player is a free agent, after his contract with Schalke expired.
Just 22-years-old, Celtic could have secured a valuable talent on a free transfer. Sitting in behind the likes of Leigh Griffiths and Odsonne Edouard, Meyer’s lethal through-ball and deft touches could have made a real difference for the Hoops.
Considering he is a free agent, Rodgers will surely be amazed Celtic have seemingly not attempted to sign the German.
