. By the conclusion of that 6-0 victory, Celtic were 13 points and 29 goals ahead of their closest challengers in the Scottish Premiership. Brendan Rodgers could field Rab C Nesbitt up front for the remainder of the season and Celtic would romp to a successful title defence.
It was matters of a striking order, combined with a bigger picture, that triggered the Celtic support as the window shut. It also tickled those anxious to see Scotland’s dominant force knocked off their pedestal (good luck there). Rodgers exaggerated in describing Kyogo Furuhashi as a “legendary” Celtic forward but the fact remains he was an excellent one, a certain starter when fit and a player who made clear months ago he wanted to depart.
More than once, Rodgers spoke of planning attached to Furuhashi’s eventual transfer to Rennes which, it felt safe to assume, meant Celtic had a replacement lined up. As the minutes ticked down, it became plain there would be no such addition. Cue much wailing and gnashing of teeth; a scenario amplified by widespread knowledge that Celtic have tens of millions slushing around in the bank.
Given events of the past, plus supposed ambition for the future, this became an immediate source of intrigue. Rodgers publicly took issue with Celtic’s transfer policy long before setting sail for Leicester in 2019. “I’m here to enjoy my time at Celtic, not to fall out with anyone,” said Rodgers shortly before the latest window closed. The inference was that he could if he really wanted to. Immediately before Dundee, Rodgers said: “I think as a collective, it wasn’t ideal how it [the window] ended for us.” Rodgers reaffirmed that he had wanted a striker.
Nobody need worry that January failings …
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