It’s mid-July and the Champions League qualifiers are nearly upon us. While Brendan Rodgers quietly prepped his squad in Portugal, finishing off with an impressive win over Sporting in the Algarve last night, there’s a growing sense among the Celtic support that we’re sleepwalking into Europe short of vital firepower – especially in the wide areas.
Sporting CP v Celtic – Pre-Season Friendly Daizen Maeda of Celtic FC controls the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sporting de Lisboa and Celtic FC at Estadio Algarve in Faro, Portugal, on July 16, 2025. Faro Portugal Photo DAX Images
It is becoming clear with just 33 days until the first Champions League qualifier Celtic must sign at least two quality wingers, and they must arrive very quickly indeed to ensure they have a fighting chance of integrating into the manager’s system ahead of those ties.
At present, we’ve got Maeda, Forrest, Yang, Tilio and Palma. That’s your five – and that includes a 33-year-old veteran, two wingers who flatter to deceive often, one who has barely kicked a ball for the club in two years – and another who the manager seemed to prefer as his first-choice striker until Jota got his injury.
If one picks up a knock, or simply goes off the boil, we’re in real trouble. European nights demand impact off the bench, unpredictability and pace. Right now, we’ve simply not got enough of any of that.
Sporting CP v Celtic – Pre-Season Friendly James Forrest of Celtic FC runs with the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sporting de Lisboa and Celtic FC at Estadio Algarve in Faro, Portugal, on July 16, 2025. Faro Portugal. Photo DAX Images
Brendan Rodgers knows the lie of the land. He knows modern European football is played in transition. He’s been vocal about needing a different profile of attacker – you’d assume he’s after wide men who can stretch the game, beat a man, and deliver with purpose. But with just four weeks to go until the qualifiers, we’re still sniffing around names instead of signing them.
The name most discussed is Sondre Ørjasæter, a 21-year-old Norwegian winger with serious potential. But word is his camp are in no rush. Waiting. Assessing. Well, Celtic don’t have the luxury of time.
There’s talk of Antwerp’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha
There’s talk of Antwerp’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha, but we’ve been talking about him for three transfer windows now, so we’re either keeping him hanging whilst flirting with alternatives, or we’ve lost interest altogether.
It even got to the point there were whispers of Luis Palma potentially returning as a credible rotational option – thankfully it seems that rumour may be without substance. But no deal is done for any wide attacker yet. Meanwhile, Europe ticks closer.
July 16, 2025, Faro, Portugal: Benjamin Nygren of Celtic looks on during a Pre-Season friendly football match played between Sporting CP and Celtic FC at Estadio Algarve on July 16, 2025 in Faro, Portugal. Faro Portugal – Photo ZUMA Joaquin Corchero
To the club’s credit, the signing of Benjamin Nygren has stirred excitement. He’s seen as the type we might normally miss out on – highly rated, technically sharp, and full of intent and intelligence. But he’s one for the middle it would seem on his pre-season performances – meaning we still badly need strength on both flanks.
Hit these qualifiers cold, with no width or pace, and we risk an early exit, again. And make no mistake, any team worth their salt will target our flanks.
Maeda is tireless but needs a back-up and is arguably better through the middle
Maeda is tireless but needs a back-up and is arguably better through the middle. Tilio is getting a run-out because we have limited options. Yang shows glimpses but fades. Forrest can’t be expected to carry that burden anymore. And Palma? He’ll likely be away unless something dramatic happens, going by the manager’s comments last night.
30th October 2024 Celtic Park, Scottish Premiership Football, Celtic versus Dundee Lyall Cameron of Dundee shields the ball from Luis Palma of Celtic. Photo ActionPlus David Young
This isn’t the time for caution, that has long since passed. The board must back Rodgers with players who fit his system. Not just more projects or late in the window panic loans – we need two ready-made wingers with flair and final product. And assuming Nygren is one for the centre of the park, then we probably need a third, even just on a short-term basis to cover the length of Jota’s injury.
It’s possible the board are waiting to shift a few bodies before committing to new arrivals – trimming the wage bill before opening the chequebook. But if that’s the plan, then those exits need to happen immediately.
Champions League qualification waits for no balance sheet
Holding out for fees or clean exits might suit the accountants, but it risks leaving Rodgers short when it matters most. If we can’t move players out in time, then the club needs to take the financial hit and get the wingers in now – or we’ll pay a far bigger price.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers gestures on the touchline Sporting Lisbon v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, Estadio Algarve, Portugal – 16 Jul 2025 Estadio Algarve Portugal Photo Carlos Rodrigues
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There’s still time – but not much of it at all, arguably a week to ten days at the most. The warning signs are clear. If we stumble into August without the width we need, we’ll have no one to blame but ourselves. Because you don’t win European ties with limited rotational options on the wing, it’s an area where genuine depth is required. You win them with quality on the ball, variance off the bench, and a team built to do damage out wide.
Rodgers needs his wingers; his system relies on having them. The fans can see it; it’s all anyone is talking about today. And the clock’s ticking, ever closer to those qualifiers. The time for paralysis in the boardroom is gone. It’s time to get deals done.
Niall J
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, out 5 September 2025. Available to pre-order now.
The Board will let us down ONCE AGAIN!
Also dont forget, wingers are needed but the centre back is an obvious problem too.
Scales is a nightmare defender who should have stayed with Aberdeen, my wee granddaughter can jump higher than him and if I can see it surely BR must see it too
We are talking about squad building and would discount tilo and Palma already from a 25man squad imo?
With 3 keepers in place, and 8 defenders, with plenty of potential injury concerns within it. Leaves 6 midfield options currently available.
So maybe 8 attacking options available, but think it will get reduced to 7 for CL imo?
That 7 will be potentially split with 5 wide options and 2 striker, the same as the past 2 seasons.
So would agree that at least 2 are required overall, but certainly 1 before the start of the season at least.
I agree with your article. However we also need a good CH and a solid defensive midfielder to shut up shop as we are badly exposed sometimes, particularly in Europe. (Someone in the mould of Neil Lennon) On a more positive note, I think we should keep hold of Johnny Kenny, he showed again last night he’s got something. As for Nygren……..I’ve watched him for 45 mins and that bhoy is a PLER, he will be a sensation for us this season
5 wingers and yet we hardly ever see one of them get to the line and cross a ball (except Maeda, occasionally). Rodgers can hardly claim he wants defences to be stretched when he, continually, plays a right footer on the left and a left footer on the right. The only way they can go is inside (a la Kuhn) and add to the congestion.
Also, I think the stick which Scales get is a little harsh. Thought he had an excellent first half against Sporting and, as for the criticism for the third goal, in the previous game, maybe you should be asking, where were the two full backs and his centre back partner!