Celtic Faces Crucial Champions League Play-off Amid Squad Uncertainty

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is under pressure as his team faces a crucial Champions League play-off against Kairat Almaty, with fans criticizing the club's lack of summer signings and fearing a weak squad. Rodgers emphasized the need to improve the squad but remains confident in the current players' ability to qualify, while urging them to ignore transfer speculation and stay focused on the important matches ahead. He has addressed the squad about the distractions caused by potential player departures, reminding them that their wages come from Celtic and that they must maintain professionalism and perform regardless of uncertainty. Rodgers acknowledged the challenges of maintaining team stability during transfer window chaos and stressed that players must give their full commitment to the club while they are under contract. Despite chants calling for the board's dismissal, Rodgers indicated that recruitment decisions are not his but highlighted the club's need to bring in quality players to meet performance expectations. The manager's key message to his team is to shut out external noise, focus on training and matches, and secure a strong result to advance in the Champions League and secure European football continuity.