Celtic reappointed Brendan Rodgers as their manager last summer, following Ange Postecoglou’s departure to pursue opportunities in the south. To support Rodgers, Celtic made a significant investment in the team, introducing nine new first-team players to the squad.
The influx of talent included Maik Nawrocki, Hyeok-kyu Kwon, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Odin Thiago Holm, Marco Tilio, Luis Palma, Paulo Bernardo, Nat Phillips, and Hyun-jun Yang, although the results from these acquisitions have been mixed.
Despite these efforts, Celtic faced early exits from the League Cup and the Champions League and currently trails their rivals in the Scottish Premiership by two points. The performance of Rodgers’ new signings has been under scrutiny, particularly as some have struggled to secure regular playing time.
Among these, Swedish defender Gustaf Lagerbielke stands out as a significant disappointment. Despite being one of the club’s higher earners, Lagerbielke’s impact on the field has been minimal since his £3 million move from IF Elfsborg. Rodgers had praised Lagerbielke’s readiness for Celtic, drawing comparisons to Virgil van Dijk, yet the 23-year-old has found it challenging to break into the first team.
Lagerbielke’s statistics before joining Celtic indicated a promising defender capable of solid performances and minimal errors. However, his time at Celtic has been marked by limited appearances and struggles to convince Rodgers of his worthiness for more playtime.
In stark contrast, Luis Palma, who joined from Aris with a lower weekly wage than Lagerbielke, has made a significant impact. With six goals and numerous assists, Palma has proven to be a valuable asset, underscoring the discrepancy in contributions between the two players.
The situation with Lagerbielke, who has accumulated over £400,000 in wages without securing a regular spot on the team, highlights a financial and strategic misstep for Celtic. As the club evaluates its roster ahead of the summer transfer window, decisions will likely need to be made regarding Lagerbielke’s future and how best to allocate resources to strengthen the team effectively.
