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Celtic boss hopeful of avoiding frustrating transfer window in January

Celtic boss hopeful of avoiding frustrating transfer window in January
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The Hoops sit top of the Scottish Premiership.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is optimistic that continued communication with the board can help avoid another frustrating transfer window.

Rodgers expressed dissatisfaction during the summer after missing out on key targets such as John McGinn, although Celtic broke their transfer record to keep loan signing Odsonne Edouard at Parkhead.

Another loan signing, Leicester's Filio Benkovic, has impressed in central defence arriving shortly before the deadline but Celtic were left with a striker shortage after Moussa Dembele departed at a late hour.

Both chief executive Peter Lawwell and Rodgers admitted they had their frustrations when quizzed at the club's annual general meeting on Wednesday, but the Celtic boss has put those behind him after his side moved top of the Ladbrokes Premiership before the winter break.

Soccer – UEFA Champions League – Qualifying – Play Off – Second Leg – Celtic v Maribor – Celtic Park
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell (Jeff Holmes/PA)

"It was a frustration and I think that was well-documented," he said ahead of Saturday's trip to face Hamilton.

"I'm not one that can hide it very well. I have to say I was not hiding it very well at all.

"So there was a natural frustration there because, of course as the manager and leader of the team, you want to continue pushing the team forward.

"But you come away and you review and reflect and what's great here about my relationship with the board, when you work so closely together it's only human that you don't always agree. That's natural, whether that's your work life or your social life.

"But what there is always between us is a huge respect, because there has been an incredible collective effort here on and off the pitch for us to be where we are now as a club.

"So that has to be sustained, and the way you do that is by communicating and talking and looking and planning forward.

"So, yeah, a frustrating period, but gradually we have worked our way through that and come out the other end in a really good position.

"But of course it's constant and in January we hope that we can improve the squad if players are available.

"January, in my experiences up here, is always an important window to strengthen. If we can do that, that will be the aim."

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Mikey Johnston in action for Celtic in the Europa League on September 20, 2018
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic220085275884
2RangersRangers220078255381
3Hearts20114637963
4Kilmarnock20114438652
5St Mirren21014246-446
6Dundee20024659-1341
Relegation Group
1Hibernian21014854-642
2Aberdeen22003749-1241
3Motherwell21015053-340
4Ross County21013459-2533
5St Johnstone20022550-2531
RLivingston21012563-3821
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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