Celtic have had a mixed start to the season, with their domestic dominance being undercut by a failure to qualify for the Champions League. Despite looking like favourites going into their qualification tie, the Hoops lost on penalties to Kairat Almaty.
While a number of players arrived over the summer, the Scottish Premiership champions went into the season with something of a sombre mood due to the fans and, seemingly, the manager wanting more new signings.
The main area that looked like it could have done with some more reinforcements was the attack, and after going out to Kairat following two goalless matches, it seems like another attacking signing may have helped them qualify for the Champions League, effectively paying for themselves.
It seems that despite not signing another attacker in the summer, Celtic’s board know that they do need to bring one in and are currently plotting a move for a Champions League winner in January.
Celtic eye Rodgers and Sterling reunion
Celtic’s hunt for a new attacker could come in the form of a reunion, as Brendan Rodgers has been linked with signing Raheem Sterling. Rodgers managed Sterling at Liverpool and selected the former England star on 126 occasions, in which he registered 41 goal involvements.
Football Insider’s transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke spoke on the Inside Track podcast about the links between Sterling and Celtic, saying Rodgers could be key to any deal.
“Yeah, it’s a bizarre link. Obviously, it may come from the past association between Brendan Rodgers and Raheem Sterling when they both worked together at Liverpool.”
The report also states that Sterling had a number of suitors in the summer, including offers from Turkey and Saudi Arabia; however, he opted to remain at Chelsea instead, despite it being clear that Enzo Maresca didn’t have a place for him. A move to Glasgow wouldn’t be as dramatic a change to life as a move abroad, and so Sterling may see Celtic as a more appealing prospect.
The biggest downside for Sterling would be Celtic’s budget restriction. Finances were a large part of the reason that they did not bring in another attacker over the summer, and O’Rourke has shared that if the move were to happen, then Sterling may need to take a pay cut to facilitate it.
Sterling could re-find himself in Scotland
Despite an illustrious career that has seen him score 194 senior goals and years of performing at the highest level, Celtic fans may be slightly disappointed with Sterling being their new attacking signing, as the 30-year-old has struggled in the last few seasons.
Chelsea have been trying to offload Sterling in the last two transfer windows, with the England winger eventually joining Arsenal on loan in the summer of 2024. After failing to secure a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, he has been exiled from the squad with the hopes of a January exit.
Sterling hasn’t managed to score 10 league goals in a season since leaving Manchester City in 2022, and he only managed six goal involvements last season. However, Arsenal were competing at the top of the Premier League and Champions League, meaning Sterling’s minutes were somewhat limited.
Playing in the Scottish Premiership and the Europa League may provide Sterling with the opportunity to rediscover himself, and competing at a slightly lower level may see his goal-scoring numbers rise. Furthermore, Rodgers is a coach who managed to bring about some of Sterling’s best football, so a reunion may provide a further boost.
