BRENDAN Rodgers has learned patience to be a valuable virtue when it comes to Celtic signing players.
The club might be in a position to offer funny money for the likes of John McGinn, a bid so over the top that Hibs would bite their hands off, but despite their relative financial strength, brinkmanship will always be the way.
Rodgers is fairly relaxed about it all because his squad is in great shape even if he believes another two first-team players would hugely help.
Read more: Scott Brown: John McGinn has replaced me with Scotland - he can do the same at Celtic
He said: “You have to be patient. Every coach or manager wants the player in tomorrow.
“But it’s not my expertise. I can only recommend players, along with our scouting team, who think will improve the team and can be important for us.
“We don’t need an overhaul or complete recycling of players. We have an exciting team and you can see the development.
“But we want to improve the squad by bringing in players who can start and lift the level.It’s not padding out the squad with more players.
“That always takes time and I have to respect that and I don’t tend to get frustrated by it. It is what it is.
“We’ve done really well these past few seasons and made it work for us. The squad is in a good place and hopefully we can add to it.”
One player who could be off on loan is winger Mikey Johnston who will probably be allowed to out once a few senior players shake off knocks.
The 19-year-old is a fine player and his manager is mulling over whether to send him out to St Mirren, with Aberdeen and Hibernian other interested parties.
Read more: Scott Brown: John McGinn has replaced me with Scotland - he can do the same at Celtic
Rodgers said: “Mikey is a big talent. There’s obviously interest from a number of clubs. You are in the situation where, can you give the talent game time he needs? Being around this squad will development, as opposed to getting games in his legs.
“He’s developing well but not at this point are we thinking of letting him out. You always have to be mindful there are a couple of injuries. But you don’t want to stop that growth and development.
“Some young players need to have a career outside a club to have a career in it.
“Others, like Kieran Tierney, and defenders, can go in and play. You are always trying to balance giving them games or letting them go out.”
Rodgers confirmed Tom Rogic will sit out tonight’s meeting with FC Alashkert.
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