Celtic face Anderlecht on Tuesday night in the Champions League.
Celtic icon Chris Sutton claimed in his Daily Record column last month that the Hoops needed to sign a new centre-back if they were to compete at European level, and it should see Brendan Rodgers turn to his scouting team on Tuesday night.
The Hoops go up against Belgian champions Anderlecht in the Champions League at Parkhead, tasked with avoiding a defeat of three or more goals to book their place in the Europa League knockout phase after Christmas.
Rodgers’ side currently sit in third place in Group B of the Champions League after beating Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s side 3-0 in their own yard back in September.
But with the January transfer window approaching, Sutton’s comments will be fresh on Rodgers’ mind and that should see the former Liverpool and Swansea manager instruct his scouts to construct a scout report on Anderlecht defender Uros Spajic.
The 24-year-old powerhouse is known for his no-nonsense approach to defending, but is also more than adept when in possession and boasts the kind of passing qualities that would see him remain equal with Celtic’s midfielders.
A five-time Serbia international, Spajic has made 18 appearances in all competitions this season, helping the Belgian giants keep five clean sheets in 11 league games – conceding just 10 times.
Erik Sviatchenko seems unable to put his injury demons behind him, while Dedryck Boyata has proven time and time again in European football that he simply cannot be trusted. Jozo Simunovic is the pick of the bunch, but additional quality is still a necessity.
Adding a player such as Spajic, who continues to organise the Anderlecht back line, will give Celtic the kind defensive organisation that Sutton is after. It will replace attackers’ confidence with fear, as well as bringing the best out of the Bhoys’ other defenders.
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