Celtic eye highly rated Stoke City winger Million Manhoef

The Potters are battling to steer clear of relegation, with the club currently positioned 18th in the tightly congested English Championship. This season, Manhoef has tallied six goals and five assists across 35 matches for his side, while also featuring for the Netherlands at U16, U17, and U21 levels.

Having made the switch from Vitesse to Stoke a little over a year ago, the 23-year-old has reportedly caught Brendan Rodgers’ eye as a possible addition to his squad this summer, according to SunSport. This follows the Celtic boss’ emphatic assurance that he will ‘150 per cent’ remain in charge at Parkhead next season.

‘There’s no rocket science in it’

On Friday at his pre match media conference prior to Celtic’s 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock, Rodgers raised the possibility that, after two seasons in charge, change was needed either in the squad or in the managerial position, leading to speculation about his own role.

Brendan said: “It’s as simple as that. There’s no rocket science in it. You cannot be at a club for a long period of time with the same group of players.”

“Likewise, the same group of players need a different voice but at this moment, it will be about improving the squad. I think change is needed. I think that’s the point. I think that freshness and that new energy coming into your squad alleviates any of that.”

“It’s either that or the manager goes”

“We always want to improve the team, improve the hunger in the team, that’s always key because one of the ways to succeed and guard against what I’ve been talking about, is you need the freshness. It’s either that or the manager goes.”

However, ahead of Saturday’s clash with Kilmarnock, he downplayed his remarks on Friday in an interview with BBC Radio Scotland. Rodgers said: “There’s no message, to avoid any doubt I will be here next season, 150 per cent.”

Conor Spence

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