Celtic are close to agreeing a deal- Anthony Joseph defender update

Anthony Joseph is expecting Celtic to complete a loan deal to sign Landon Emenalo.

The Chelsea teenager was pictured recently at Lennoxtown and is expected to provide cover for Kieran Tierney.

Sky Sports reporter Joseph has a track record for being very close to the action when it comes to Celtic transfer activity.

Last season the experienced Marcelo Saracchi provided cover and competition for the Scotland internationalist.

Despite efforts to resign him the Uruguayan has recently signed for Houston Dynamo.

Emenalo, without having played a minute of senior football would be a very different option.

Ideally he would be slowly brought into the team but an injury to Tierney would leave Martin O’Neill having to select between Liam Scales and Emenalo at left-back.

Tierney’s status as clear first pick left-back creates a unique problem/issue.

CELTIC OPTIONS FOR A ‘PROBLEM’ POSITION

Finding an alternative of good enough quality to take on the role of understudy is no easy task.

Celtic do require a left-back of some description. With less than two weeks left in the transfer window a decision will have to be taken soon.

O’Neill does have a number of big decisions to take in the transfer market.

As the match against LASK proved he does have a good Starting XI but beyond that is thin on options.

Ideally he should have 10 capable options on the bench, players that can step into the side without any noticeable drop in quality.

Tuesday’s match in LASK will decide what European competition Celtic will play in.

A return to the Champions League changes the entire complexion of the club with nine days left to complete business.

O’Neill isn’t expected to make any comment on transfer matters until Monday when he has a media conference for the LASK return leg.

CLICK HERE for Emenalo’s Transfermarkt profile