Brendan Rodgers has re-stated his January transfer plans.
The Celtic boss has been handicapped all season by central defensive problems having to go with whoever is fit rather than who is in form.
Nir Bitton, Kristoffer Ajer and Mikael Lustig have all been drafted in with Rodgers keen to bring in at least one central defender in January.
During the summer Celtic missed out on Rivaldo Coetzee due to a failed medical but rather than go for an emerging talent the hoops boss wants to bring in a first team starter when the transfer window opens next month.
“It will help budget-wise, of course, although I haven’t really thought about that,” Rodgers told The Scotsman about the prospect of playing in the Europa League. “I’m the football man. You are getting some extra games which you may not have budgeted for. So I’m sure revenue-wise it will help. If you can go on as far as you can in the tournament, it’s all the better for you.
“We are very clear in what we want to do in January. We are really happy with the squad of players but you need to strengthen when you are in these moments. There is still top quality we want to bring in. If we can afford and it’s available, that’s what we’ll look to do.”
Anything less than a 3-0 defeat tonight will see Celtic finish above Anderlecht and qualify for the Europa League.
Patrick Roberts will be missing for the match but Moussa Dembele and Nir Bitton took part in training yesterday and will be available after missing the last two matches through injury.
In January Eboue Kouassi was Rodgers’ only signing but with a Europa League place likely and four rounds of Champions League qualifiers in the summer the hoops boss will be looking to bolster his side when the January window opens.