Rodgers keen to replace "influential players" Stuart Armstrong and Patrick Roberts but plays down move for Danny Ings
Friday 29 June 2018 15:36, UK
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers believes the Scottish champions must strengthen their squad following recent departures, but says he is not in the market for a striker.
Celtic have been linked with a move for Liverpool striker Danny Ings, who Rodgers managed at Anfield, but the Hoops boss says he is happy with the trio of strikers he has at his disposal as the club chase a treble-treble next season.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Rodgers said: "Danny (Ings) is a fantastic player and has been really, really unfortunate for a few years with injury but I have got the three strikers at the moment and we don't need any more.
"We just signed young Odsonne Edouard on a permanent deal and he is a class act. We also have Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths so with those three we are well covered.
"We were very keen to make the move permanent, he's a real class act, how he moves, the goals he gets, and his football intelligence.
"It's a great move by the club to sign him on a permanent deal. This boy has still got a lot of improvement and learning to do but he's a fantastic young talent."
Rodgers is keen to replace midfielder Stuart Armstrong, who joined Southampton for £7m, and winger Patrick Roberts who has returned to Manchester City after a loan spell with Celtic.
He said: "We know we need to strengthen.
"We lost Stuart Armstrong and Patrick Roberts who were really influential players for us in all the years I have been here. We need to at least replace that and if we can also add to the squad.
"There is always speculation and rumour around players coming here or players leaving the club.
"You just have to stay concentrated, that will be a club decision in the end whatever happens
Celtic face Alashkert in the first round of Champions League qualifying on July 10, and Rodgers is preparing his side for a tough test against the Armenian side
He added: "For us it's just a case of working and getting the players here fit and focused and ready for the Champions League qualification period.
"I've seen them come back a lot fresher than what they were last year and you can see that in the training and levels of intensity and strength."
