TOO LITTLE...TOO LATE

New signings arrive, after Champions League exit

- By Gavin McCafferty

BRENDAN RODGERS stressed Celtic’s under-fire board “bleed for the club” — but warned the Hoops had to change their approach to the summer transfer window to progress.

Their transfer activity belatedly warmed up after the club exited the Champions League against Kairat Almaty, with winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha, right, signing from Royal Antwerp and left-back Marcelo Saracchi arriving from Boca Juniors.

The shock defeat in Kazakhstan came on the back of unheeded warnings from Rodgers about the need to bolster his attacking options following the exits of Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn and a long-term injury to Jota.

The only forward to arrive before the playoffs was Shin Yamada, who had scored twice in 21 J-League games this year and stayed on the bench in Kazakhstan on Tuesday.

The Celtic manager told his players the Champions League “grieving” process was over and declared himself “excited” by the Europa League draw.