Brendan Rodgers gives a strong January transfer hint.

Brendan Rodgers has dropped a subtle reminder that his Celtic recruitment strategy is only getting started.

Four players were signed in the final week of the transfer window, including two on Deadline Day who scored in Saturday’s win over Hearts.

Compared to last summer’s signings, Arne Engels and Luke McCowan appear tailor-made to fit into a midfield that already features a powerful and highly effective trio in Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, and Paulo Bernardo.

Rodgers resisted the offer of early signings during the transfer window and appears to be very pleased with the calibre of players he is working with, as evidenced by the substitute bench in the last two games.

As one transfer window closes, preparations for the next begin, with the Celtic manager stating that ‘there are still areas that we want to improve on’.

Question: You mentioned quality. You brought many teams into this Champions League campaign as Celtic manager – in terms of this group of players that you have now, how does this compare to previous squads that you’ve had, in terms of quality, readiness for the competition, and potential to go further?

RODGERS:

“There’s absolutely no doubt, that this is the most ready I’ve felt as a Celtic manager coming into the Champions League campaign – naturally because of the qualification phase and the doubt around all of that, and I didn’t get players in late on off the back of that last season.”

“Coming in last year and trying to find out the players and managing them through that. And then seeing them in the competition. But having had a year under my belt back here, seeing all the players, and being able to improve a lot of the areas that I want has been great.”

“There are still areas that we want to improve in, but certainly, readiness is a great word. I think that feeling of arriving at this first game in what has probably been the best place that I’ve been in since I’ve been here.”

Auston Trusty and Alex Valle have yet to make their debuts, but both are expected to play at some point in Sunday’s League Cup tie at home to Falkirk.

‘It’s the most ready I’ve been as a Celtic manager for European challenge,’ Brendan Rodgers insists.

In other news, ‘It’s the most ready I’ve been as a Celtic manager for European challenge,’ Brendan Rodgers insists.