Martin O’Neill is hoping that Celtic can make two signings before the transfer window closes next week.
So far after making four signings Celtic are sitting on a surplus of around £10m.
Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda have been sold, two players critical in the late run that delivered the SPFL Premiership title.
By full time away to LASK in midweek Celtic were also without Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Kieran Tierney.
The substitute bench in both legs of the tie against LASK was badly lacking in quality.
Despite that reminder O’Neill highlighted just two areas that need strengthening with The Scotsman reporting the hoops boss saying:
You would be definitely looking for a left back for Kieran (Tierney), because Kieran’s not going to, with the greatest respect, play all the games at the end of the day.
You’d need probably need a really strong replacement for Arne Engels, a box-to-box midfield player. We definitely just would need strengthening and that’s what we’re going to try and do.
Last season Celtic had left-back Marcelo Saracchi on loan from Boca Juniors to cover for Tierney.
For reasons not quite explained a permanent deal for the Uruguayan wasn’t completed. Saracchi has since joined Houston Dynamo.
A replacement/successor to Engels has been an issue since January.
When Celtic turned down an offer from Nottingham Forest it seemed inevitable that further bids would follow in the summer.
Engels played in Celtic’s first two matches of the season before being sold to West Ham. Leaving a very obvious hole in O’Neill’s team as LASK exploited.
I think maybe Martin forgot about CBs and GK as well as LB and btob MF and if he didn’t and thinks that squad will win trophies then we could all be very disappointed in due course.
The transfer budget has been slashed, unlike the smell of slash that has been reeking from our boardroom for years….the stench is massively increasing from the pish-stained, grey suits from these robbing auld bastards!