The Celtic 'moral issue' over transfers Brendan Rodgers raised as hardline rule hangs over Kyogo and Hatate

Soon-to-be Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers admitted he found it impossible to stand in the way of players and a big money transfer during his first spell at Parkhead.

And that could have a major impact on the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Matt O'Riley who have all been touted with a move to the English Premier League this summer. Despite dominating Scottish football during his first spell in charge of Celtic during his first spell in the dugout the club couldn't match the spending power of sides on the continent - limiting the impact Rodgers could make on the Champions League during his tenure.

That saw the Northern Irishman allow the likes of Stuart Armstrong and Stefan Johansen to leave Celtic Park for big money paydays south of the border - while Moussa Dembele also left the club for a bumper deal with Ligue 1 side Lyon. He may have become used to throwing new deals at players during his time at Liverpool - but has openly admitted life in the Scottish Premiership was very different.

Rodgers opened up to The Coaches' Voice on the differences between keeping the likes of Luis Suarez at Anfield when compared to holding on to his key Celtic players during his time at Parkhead. He said back in 2018: "I suppose it's slightly easier here at Celtic because there is a moral issue here.

"If a player is on X amount of pounds and he could go to the Premier League on five, six times that it's very, very difficult to stop that. Celtic is a huge is a huge club in every way; historically, trophies, fan base, stadium.

"What isn't relative is money. It's financially, obviously, not the same. It's not in the same stratosphere as all the Premier League clubs, you know?

"So you have to accept that. It doesn't stop you fighting