David Friel expects Celtic to make a minimum of four new signings during the transfer window.
The Sun reporter has been ahead of the game with signings this summer.
On June 19 Friel was first to mention Celtic’s interest in Camilo Duran. On July 10 that signing was announced with the former Qarabag striker scoring twice against LASK to take Celtic to the brink of a place in the Champions League group stage.
For good measure Friel was also first to report on Celtic reviving their interest in Camilo Duran.
So far Celtic have signed four players with 17 leaving in a variety of circumstances.
The side that started against LASK was strong but there wasn’t much in the way of options on the bench to change the game.
If Celtic go into the Champions League they will need to strengthen to be competitive in eight midweek matches before the end of January.
Friel discussed all matters Celtic during a Sun podcast, dropping a strong hint that Ermin Mahmic of Slovan Liberec is a genuine transfer target.
13 minutes
It is clear to everybody that Celtic need a goalkeeper, need a left-back, need a midfielder. But I always felt that if something came up in any area whether it was wing whether it was attacking midfielder anything like that that was a good value, sorry good sense to the club, and good value to the club and was an exciting prospect like (Ermin) Mahmic then why not do it?
Mahmic is a 21-year-old attacking midfielder with a similar profile to Arne Engels.
The Belgian was sold to West Ham last Saturday with no replacement brought in for the LASK ties.
The podcast ended with.
21 minutes 40 seconds
FISHER: Just final question before deadline closes, how many new players are Celtic bringing in with this £40 million burning a hole in everybody’s pocket?
FRIEL:
I think they’ll definitely bring a goalkeeper, left back and central midfielder and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s one more in in a certain area but I think there’ll be a couple go as well.
I think the Hatate will eventually go as well. Johnny Kenny, there’s a lot of interest, again he was on the bench last night. I think he would go so it would be another three out but I think there’s scope for I think a minimum four signings.
FINANCING RECRUITMENT AT CELTIC
Having sold Engels, Daizen Maeda, Luis Palma and Mauik Nawrocki Celtic are around £10m in profit so far from the transfer window.
At the turn of the year the Celtic bank balance is likely to have been somewhere between £70-100m.
Clearly the funds are there to seriously improve the squad. Bringing in players of the calibre of Duran and Hogh.
There is unlikely to be any comment from Celtic until Monday when Martin O’Neill faces the media to preview the return leg with LASK.
With two weeks to run in the transfer window the timelines are getting tight, clearly qualifying for the 36 team Champions League will put Celtic into a stronger position to attract players.
Well the way I see it, we obviously should get a new keeper, a quality left back in the mould of Sarrachi, a new midfielder to replace Engels and a fighting midfielder like Lennon, Broony or Wanyama. I still feel we are lightweight in midfield and the Lask tie proved that. Baur and McGregor are not that type.
I think we should part ways with Hatate, Kenny and Balikwisha.
In attack we look to be well covered, Hogh Duran, Hassan, Tounekti, Yang, Forrest and Osmand. And we’ll see how Jota will fare especially taking on board his lengthy absence.
And I still feel we need a proper centre back – Carter-Vickers is not up to speed, Scales is the only cover for him and Trusty.
Of course I’m talking about Europe because for Scotland I think we don’t need much to add to the squad.
There’s a player at Bode that would revolutionise our team and it’s imperative we get a sitting midfielder in asap, I can’t believe we haven’t banged in a £7 -£8m bid for Paddy Berg yet………
HH
Just wish we could have had these players already in the door , the bench the other night was a joke and the board are taking so many unnecessary risks , there is no way this CL qualifier is a formality if we lose an early goal on Tuesday we will need to score a couple at least HH