The 5 Celtic transfer what ifs amid Brendan Rodgers refusing to indulge in alternative reality

Like most of his peers, Brendan Rodgers refuses to deal in hypotheticals. Or "what ifs" as he put it.

The Celtic boss has transfer irons in the fire. But his preference is to focus on Sunday's trip to Aberdeen rather than discuss transfers that are happening but haven't yet, that might be happening but not for certain and definitely not moves that aren't happening and aren't likely to. But what he'll say in public and what's going on in the background are often very different things.

Speculation will never stop, as much as the men in the hot seat might like it to. August especially is when rumours run wild alongside legit info. There's enough of that surrounding the Scottish champions just now with some areas still needing addressed, particularly before they have another crack at the Champions League group stage while trying to defend their domestic Treble.

Record Sport examines the unsaid what ifs that may or may not be valid talking points for Rodgers sooner or later.

It was a question about the former Celtic favourite that prompted Rodgers to stick to the definities: “I don’t speak on what ifs. There’s speculation around many players, naturally there’s an association with Kieran and his past here and our past together but there’s nothing to add to it.

He was more forthcoming les than a month ago when talk around Tierney coming home first surfaced: "You can just never say never in football. Who knows what might happen? We wouldn’t be able to buy Kieran for £25-£30million, that’s for sure, or the figures I see banded about.

"I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t be able to pay the huge salary he’s on. However, one can never tell."

The financial aspect hasn't changed. And Arsenal are leen to raise funds to pay for incoming players