OPINION
Being a football manager is all about risk versus reward, taking chances and making difficult decisions – and that is no different to Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.
The Hoops’ senior figure can say that he has done a pretty good job at meeting expectations so far, winning six domestic trophies in his first two years in charge, dominating all of Scottish football.
Now the focus will be on improving on the European stage, and to do that he needs to make sure he is constantly improving his side with new recruits, while shipping out those who no longer have a part to play.
Of course, rival sides will also be keen on snapping up the Bhoys’ top talent, and it comes down to a balancing act of whether to sell up and use the money to reinvest, or keep the current player and stay where you are.
That is the situation facing Rodgers this summer, with the Daily Mail claiming that Lille are ready to pounce on defender Jozo Simunovic with a £5million offer.
However, when probed about the Croatian’s potential exit, Rodgers seemed to make a definitive decision, stating to the Daily Record: “I wouldn’t encourage a move for any player. We need as many of them here for as long as we can to help us. So at this moment in time we wouldn’t be overly interested.”
Some might argue that with his injuries and the inconsistent form shown by the 23-year-old that the multi-million pound bid should be accepted and the money put back into the side, but Rodgers is making the right move with what must be a tough decision.
Celtic are not yet in the Champions League group stage and face a handful of qualifiers to make it to where they want to be, and while Simunovic might not be their top defender, he does have the experience and know-how to get them there.
With Dedryck Boyata and Mikael Lustig both on international duty, Rodgers cannot afford to take the risk of letting another centre back leave and bring in an unknown quantity, who may or may not have what it takes to guide the Hoops in their European exploits.
For now, there can afford to be no sales, only new arrivals, at Celtic Park.