Brendan Rodgers – Adam Idah stays at Celtic until two strikers signed

The Irishman was absent from training on Friday while reportedly undergoing a Swansea City medical ahead of a £7 million move, although Brendan was rather vague on this.

That wouldn’t normally be sanctioned if Celtic had any doubts about a successor being lined up, which suggests the Hoops are now closing in on Kasper Dolberg. Talks with Anderlecht over a fee of around £8m are understood to be progressing, and the Dane certainly seems firmly in the frame to be Celtic’s new striker.

Rodgers, though, was keen to send a message about control at today’s media conference:

“There is interest in Adam, but nobody leaves unless we have someone ready to come in. That’s the reality. Talks have been happening, but I need players in before I can sanction anyone going out,”  the Celtic manager insisted. When asked if there could be a concern Idah will not be available to face theRangers on Sunday, Rodgers said – “I’m quite relaxed on it, I just need to see where we are at over the course of the next couple of days, and we will assess it from there.”

Whether that’s the manager flexing his authority, or a way of turning the screw on the board to get the Dolberg deal across the line, the timing is telling. With a Glasgow Derby clash looming, Rodgers won’t want to be left with only Jonny Kenny and Shin Yamada as senior striking options.

Interestingly, he also made it clear that if Idah does go, Celtic will need two strikers in – not just one, that one. That raises as many questions as it does answers.

Does it point to Kenny and Callum Osmand heading out on loan for regular minutes? And does it add weight to rumours linking Celtic with Sturm Graz forward William Boving? The Danish Under 21 international has been touted as a target. And rather than an alternative to Dolberg, he could well be a second addition alongside him.

The 22 year old has played predominately as a striker but also quite often at left midfield and behind the striker too, and less often but occasionally on the right wing. That would give some versatility.

There were rumours last night that Boving could be picked up for around £3m but those estimates seem pretty low for a player of his talents and one who cost Sturm Graz £2m from FC Copenhagen three years ago. But with just 12 months left on his contract, if the player doesn’t intend to sign an extension, it may suit Sturm Graz to cash in now, low fee or not.

Rodgers also confirmed there is interest in Yang. He didn’t name the club, but that is expected to be Birmingham City. And Rodgers has said a move would have happened earlier had Celtic got their transfer business done early.

Here’s what he said on Yang, as he reiterated the same message as he did for Idah. Replacements need to be signed before exits happen –

“I think for the likes of Yang it has been ongoing for him for a little while,” Brendan said. “I understand it. When you are a player who has probably been used most as a squad player over a couple of years there comes a point in time when you maybe want to move on and play.

“But I have been unable to do that because we have needed Yang here. But I also know if he does stay, then he has a contribution to make. There has been interest in him, but I can’t really do anything unless we have players in.”

Rodgers is keeping his cards close to his chest, but it seems promising that Celtic’s business up top is far from finished, and the next few days could be decisive in shaping the attack for the rest of the season.

Watch Brendan’s Media Conference ahead of the Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox on Sunday.