IF truth be told this state of the nation address had been coming.

All summer, Brendan Rodgers has not been himself. Normally so easy-going, the Celtic manager has been spiky, not quite as open as before and at times downright sullen.

Yesterday he made it clear that a manager and squad which had delivered two trebles, record derby wins, successive Champions League group stage campaign and a full stadium deserves more from the board.

Look at all those triumphs and yet signing a Hibs player has become a chore.

After chatting about this and that, Rodgers was asked for his view on transfers and where his squad is.

BR: “My role in the summer was clear; to keep the players that were here such as Kieran [Tierney] and Tom Rogic which is great. And at the very minimum replace the players that we lost and where we might need improving.

“So we done the first part with Kieran and Tom. We sign, which is a no-brainer, Odsonne Edouarrd,

“He was on loan and we could see his qualities and now he looks like he is going to kick on and keep improving and developing but there are still a few key areas where I want to bring in quality and thus far we haven’t completed on it - not a lot of players,but we needed quality.

“And that is something that we haven’t got in the building yet to add to the quality that is already here. You have to do that when you are in a strong position. I am not sure the club has been in a stronger position this summer than what they have been for quite some time.”

Q: If you stand still, it can be seen to go backwards.

BR: “Absolutely. 150%. I couldn’t agree more. We need to complete deals. It is as simple as that. One is identifying the players which we do and then get them over the line.”

Q: Regarding John McGinn, do you see why people would think the club should put money on the table and get the deal done?

BR: “150%. If you open your door to players in general and they have an opportunity to go through that door and have a look and see that there are other good clubs with facilities and are equal – and probably better – than what is here, then you risk the chance of them not coming back though the door. That is the gamble you take if you wait.”

Q: Did you expect more to be done by now?

BR: “I just wanted quality. We weren’t needing a huge overhaul here this summer. For me it was pretty straightforward.”

Is it reading between the lines to suggest you are frustrated?

Q: BR: “I am fine.”

Are you looking to get quality before the end of the window?

BR: “I would hope so. We identify the targets and like I say we just hope that they can be completed.”

Q: Are you happy with the reasons given for quality not being here?

BR: “Whatever I feel will always be private. I will never speak openly on that.”

Q: Will the English market closing (Friday) reduce prices?

BR: “I am not sure. I think we will see how it all evolves down south when the window shuts. My concern is not that side of it but rather on getting quality in. That is the business side.

“I run football and operate football and I want top footballers in and I want to work with them as quickly as I possibly can.”

Q: Do you want more than projects...proven players?

BR: “Yes. Talents are fine. All my career I have done that, worked with talents, improving 19-year-olds, 20-year-olds, 17-year-olds, 18-year-olds…I have put them in. But you also need proven talent.

“There is an expectation here to work not just alongside the talents but to have proven talents that will allow us to grow.

“This is the best time for improvement and you can’t just wait and sit back.

“You have got to keep improving and developing and that is something that we need to do. That is a constant thing, not just every other year.”

Q: A persistent criticism of Celtic is that the club doesn’t build from a position of strength.

BR: “Well, we’re in a position of strength. So we shall see.”

Q: Would you have liked the Edouard deal done quicker?

BR: Of course, a year earlier when he was available, there was an availability there for that. But, like I say, it wasn’t done. The most important thing is that it got done. You see then when you deliver that quality, that level.

“Listen, I always respect that there is a balance because we’re now in the market with the resources to go and spent nine, ten, eleven million pounds on every player you sign. You can’t do that.

“But I think we’ve earned, over the few years, the possibilities to – where the squad needs the actual real genuine quality – the ability to do that. So hopefully we can.”

Q: Are you any closer to Daniel Arzani?

“Not that I’m aware of, no. I think it’s something that’s between Manchester City and Celtic.”

Q: Can you tell us the position as it stands with John McGinn?

“No, other than they’ve been working on it for the last few months. At this moment I don’t have anything further to add. Clearly Aston Villa have come in and maybe found an agreement with Hibs, I assume, which is why they would let him travel.

“And he’s taken the opportunity to go and have a look and see. What he’ll find is that it’s a very good club that’s now been taken over by owners that look like they really want to back what they’re doing now. They have a wonderful stadium and a great, great training facility.”

Rodgers then moved on to how Celtic works.

BR: “Ultimately, it will always go down to the board, which it is at most clubs. The board and everyone are fully understanding and clear and have clarity on my ambitions. Absolutely.

“My ambitions are always for Celtic. For the club and the supporters to have success.

“Of course, the club have to balance that off with everything else that goes with running a football club. I’m not privy to the real depths of the business side of it.

“You guys know as much as me in terms of the club and the operation. We’ve got a board who want to look after the interests of the club and I respect that.

‘They respect that I am ambitious for Celtic. For the 60-odd thousand who turn up every week and for the millions around the world, we want to deliver the very, very best that we can.

“Of course, the club want to do that within their means. That’s where we are at. I love it here. I love my work. I love working with the players, developing the team.

“We just try to push the very best we can to deliver on the expectation of what the supporters want.”