The whispers are starting to be heard, the grapevine is buzzing- the January transfer window is just a month away.
While kids open the doors to their advent calendar the football business is gearing up for a transfer frenzy after a four month break.
For Brendan Rodgers it will be a case of deja-vu as he attempts to bring in Champions League quality and shift on some of the leftovers from Ronny Deila’s squad.
With a three week break between facing Sevco and Albion Rovers Rodgers will have more time than usual to sift through the scouting reports and DVD’s in the hope of uncovering another Moussa Dembele- the problem being that every other club in the UK is doing the same after missing out on the young French striker during the summer.
Having had six months and crucially six Champions League group matches to asses his squad Rodgers will know exactly what his side requires
It’s unlikely that the Irishman will be able to get all of his transfer wishes in one swoop, I think we can be confident of emerging on February 1 in better condition that December 1.
EFE AMBROSE
It’s getting towards decision time for Efe whose last competitive match was a Development League match away to Kilmarnock in August.
There has been regular talk of clubs showing interest in the Nigerian internationalist but it seems that no bids have been put in front of Celtic or satisfied the player.
Another five months on the sidelines isn’t going to do his career any favours but it seems clear that unless the right deal is on offer Efe will see out his Celtic contract.
KRIS COMMONS
One of the most spectacular career falls in recent times. A two new two year contract during Ronny Deila’s first season in charge hasn’t worked out for the player or the club.
Commons hasn’t played a match of any description this season but could provide any club with a scoring boost once the transfer window opens.
With his family appearing to be very settled in Scotland any offer from an SPFL club is bound to be carefully considered- with Hibs the most obvious option and the chance to link up again with Neil Lennon.
NADIR CIFTCI
He made the photographs after Sunday’s Betfred Cup win over Aberdeen on Sunday but little has been seen of the former Dundee United striker since the early stages of the season.
Despite paying £1.2m to Dundee United last year it’s unlikely that Celtic will be difficult to negotiate with if any club comes in with an offer.
No Scottish club could come close to the terms of his four year contract meaning that a loan move to Turkey is probably the most likely scenario.
LOGAN BAILLY
The only thing worse than being a second choice keeper is being third choice.
Dorus de Vries clearly has the backing of Brendan Rodgers which makes first team football twice as unlikely for the Belgian keeper.
He signed a three year contract when he arrived from OH Leuven in the summer of 2015 but is bound to be interested in any deal that gives him a realistic prospect of first team football. A move back to Belgium seems likely.
KRISTOFFER AJER
The Norwegian teenager has spent six months inside Celtic gaining a taste of the first team football in pre-season and gaining experience in the UEFA u-19 Youth League, Development League and Premier League International Cup.
After captaining Norwegian side Start it’s essential that he gets first team football in the new year with a range of options open.
Going to an SPFL side such as Motherwell or Partick Thistle would be useful with next season in mind but a spell in England at League One could accelerate his development in the same way that it transformed Callum McGregor.