Celtic’s lack of deals ‘not my decision’ – Rodgers

Manager Brendan Rodgers insists the failure to strengthen Celtic’s squad for their Champions League play off with Kairat was “not my decision” and concedes that he has to “accept where it’s at”.

The Scottish champions – heavy favourites to progress – were listless in being held to a goalless draw by their Kazakhstan counterparts.

Now must travel more than 3,500 miles for next Tuesday’s second leg just short of the Chinese border, knowing that they need a far better showing if they are to return to the top table of continental competition this season.

Celtic have recruited seven players this summer, paying fees for Benjamin Nygren, Hayato Inamura, Shin Yamada and Callum Osmand, with Kieran Tierney and Ross Doohan arriving on frees and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey on loan.

Only Nygren and Tierney started on Wednesday, while the likes of Nicolas Kuhn and Kyogo Furuhashi who starred in the Champions League last term have been sold and not replaced, while Jota is out injured long term.

“We need to improve the squad,” Rodgers said. “There’s been clarity around that for a long time. Supporters see that. Hopefully between now and the end of the season, the club will get that and that will support us.

“It’s not my decision in the end. I can prepare the players that are here. We are all clear on where we need to improve, and for whatever reason we haven’t been able to do that.

“We’re in this position, we have to accept that and not dwell on it, and try and come through it.

“There’s only so many ways that I can dress up that we don’t have the players here.

“It was pretty clear. You don’t need to look into the future too far. You know these games are tough and you want to have players in as quick as you can to tackle these situations. It is what it is. I have to accept where it’s at.”