Brendan Rodgers is looking to make two additions to the Celtic squad in January according to a report in Mail Confidential.
With Stephen McGowan one of the contributors most supporters will take notice of the claim with the transfer window opening in just over one month.
After a focus on project signings such as Marco Tilio, Kwon Hyeok-kyu and Odin Thiago-Holm during the summer of 2023 there was a noted changed of focus following Rodgers’ first transfer window.
Less is more was the mantra in January with Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn making more of an impact than the seven summer arrivals.
This summer the focus was on quality even if it raised the spending levels but the costs involved in signing Idah on a permanent basis, Arne Engels, Auston Trusty and Luke McCowan was virtually covered by the sale of Matt O’Riley.
It all points towards a more selective transfer model with Mail Confidential reporting:
Celtic have identified two new positions they would like to strengthen in the January transfer window.
Top of the Scottish Premiership, preparing for a Premier Sports Cup final with Rangers and challenging for the Champions League last 16 play-offs, the Parkhead side have £77million burning a hole in their bank account.
And Brendan Rodgers wants to use some of that cash to sign a left-sided wide man and a young third striker to provide back-up for Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah.
Daizen Maeda remains the first pick on the left flank, with veteran James Forrest providing cover from the bench.
Honduran winger Luis Palma is struggling to make any impact at all, filling the role of unused substitute and playing just three hours of club football all season.
Palma notched a double in a 2-0 CONCACAF Nations League win for Honduras against Mexico last week and dedicated his goals to his late gran, who passed away recently. His international form could persuade clubs to offer him a crack at first-team football.
Rodgers spoke in August of the potential need for a younger third striker to come in and provide cover for Kyogo and Idah.
Content that Maeda could fill the role if necessary, the Parkhead boss admitted that other positions were a bigger priority in the summer.
Extensive January transfer business is usually the sign of a club in distress, bringing in two players would match the activity of January 2024 with both Idah and Kuhn now established parts of the first team picture.
Whether Celtic win the SPFL or finish runners up they will face Champions League qualifiers in August, having a full strength squad for that will be the target for Rodgers with the benefit of no international tournaments over the summer.
Surprised Cummings who is rattling them in all season for the B team and attracting attention from down south isn’t training with the first team squad. Or that Johnny Kenny who is on loan from the club at Shamrock Rovers and has netted five times this season in the Conference League isn’t being called back in January.
Editor: The St Ninian’s School project followed by Lowland League doesn’t produce Celtic players, the CEO can’t even name the last Academy player to start a competitive irst team match.