Brendan Rodgers is crying out for a new right back as Celtic chase an eighth Scottish Premiership title this season.
If you ask Celtic fans which position their club needs to strengthen this month then many will surely mention the problems Brendan Rodgers is facing at right-back.
With Mikael Lustig well past his best and Cristian Gamboa clearly not in the manager’s plans, the Daily Record reported that a right-sided defender is indeed a key target for Rodgers in the January transfer window.
Finding one, however, could be easier said than done. Celtic were interested in Conner Roberts before he signed a long-term contract with Swansea, according to the Express, while Atalanta’s £10 million demands for Belgian international Timothy Castagne look to have ruled the Hoops out (Scottish Sun).
Furthermore, any links with Akhmat Grozyn’s Iran international Milad Mohamaddi (The Sun) have grown cold.
And with the Star now claiming that Celtic have blocked a bid from St Mirren to take Anthony Ralston on loan, are the latest signs suggesting that Rodgers will persist with the options at his disposal until the end of the season?
It makes little sense for Celtic to let Ralston go without a replacement lined up and reports saying that the youngster is now set to stay perhaps mean that Rodgers has accepted defeat in his pursuit of a new face.
Although maybe this is for the best. After the forgettable signings of Lewis Morgan, Marvin Compper and Charly Musonda this time last year, the last thing Celtic need is another panic buy.
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