Celtic pursue late signings as Rodgers targets Kairat playoff

Brendan Rodgers entered the final stages of the transfer window with a measured mix of optimism and pragmatism as Celtic prepare for a two-legged Champions League playoff against Kairat Almaty. The champions began their domestic campaign with two clean-sheet wins, and while the squad has not been drastically altered, the manager signaled that changes could still come before the deadline. He stressed that the club traditionally completes its business late in the window and that he remains hopeful new faces will be added ahead of the European deadline.

Celtic’s early form has reinforced a familiar pattern: solid defending and efficient scoring in wins over St. Mirren and Aberdeen, achieved without major upheaval to the first team. The arrivals so far include free transfers such as Kieran Tierney and Ross Doohan, with the club still weighing options to strengthen in key areas. Rodgers acknowledged a potential need to reinforce the squad before the Champions League qualifier, noting there remains time “right up until the day before the game to change our squad” and that “we hope we can improve it, and hopefully by then, we will do.” He also highlighted the broader challenge facing...