Five- In The Know reporter names Celtic’s transfer target
Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Aberdeen - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - July 31, 2022 Celtic players in a huddle before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Brendan Rodgers could make five signings before the transfer window closes at midnight on Thursday.
So far recruitment has been painfully slow for the manager and Celtic support with an injury crisis highlighting the limitations of last season’s treble winning squad.
Eight days on from losing at Kilmarnock there are still no additions to the squad with Rodgers making it clear that he is looking for first team starters rather than squad fillers.
David Friel tends to be ahead of the curve with Celtic news, in February 2021 he broke the news of Neil Lennon’s departure 10 hours ahead of the Stock Market announcement.
Late on Sunday night The Sun reported:
And SunSport believes boss Brendan Rodgers could make up to FIVE signings in the days ahead.
Several Celtic fringe men are also tipped to depart.
Honduran star Palma will sign a long-term contract and has been earmarked to fill the void left by Jota.
Aris boss Tolis Terzis confirmed the 23-year-old will join the Parkhead club and he could make his debut against Rangers on Sunday.
Rodgers is also targeting a central defender for the Old Firm game after an injury crisis in that area.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Maik Nawrocki are out for two months, with Stephen Welsh feared to be missing for four.
Southampton stopper Lyanco is one of many defenders offered to Celtic in the last few days, but he is now off to Qatar.
The Hoops gaffer is also chasing a left-back.
He had been linked with Kieran Tierney but the Arsenal ace has moved to Real Sociedad on loan.
Striking support for Kyogo is high on Rodgers’ list too.
Getting that level of deals completed in four working days is a very tall order although Luis Palma’s move from ARIS Thessalonika seems almost over the line.
While the Recruitment Team work around the clock Rodgers has to prepare a side for Ibrox while keeping options open for new signings to be involved in the derby.
It would be asking a lot for someone to sign this week then go straight into the Starting XI at Ibrox but after two faltering performances Celtic need a lift from somewhere going into the first Derby of the season.