Celtic have missed the chance to sign two centre-halves this week after Stephan Ambrosius and Omar Colley both signed new contracts.
If Hoops fans hoped the January transfer window would see a commanding defender arrive at Parkhead, it seems they may be sorely disappointed.
The closest Celtic have come to bringing in a new face at the back was the potential return of Jack Hendry – the forgotten man left out in the cold by both Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon.
According to the Daily Record, however, KV Oostende have no interest in letting Hendry leave midway through his loan spell and, what’s more, there’s no recall clause in his contract.
Just to add to the frustration, Celtic have now missed their chance to sign two defenders who have been heavily linked with a move to the green half of Glasgow in recent months.
Germany U21 international Ambrosius was due to become a free agent in the summer. And, with Celtic keen, the Hamburg stopper could have been snapped up for a cut-price fee this winter (BILD).
Not any more.
“I’m very happy the negotiations have now been brought to a conclusion and I can therefore stay with HSV,” Ambrosius said after inking a new deal until 2024.
6ft 3in Gambia international Colley, meanwhile, was placed on the transfer list in November after SampNews24 revealed an approach had been made by Celtic.
Since then, the £9 million-rated powerhouse has forced his way back into the Sampdoria XI and been rewarded with a long-term contract keeping him at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium until 2025.
Neil Lennon, then, will have little choice but to hope Shane Duffy steps up to the plate as Celtic look to keep the humiliation to a minimum between now and the merciful end of what has been a grim slog of a season.
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