Charlie Nicholas wants Celtic to sign ex-Rangers loanee and recommends three striker targets

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Scottish Premiership champions Celtic need to make some signings in the January transfer window with Rangers breathing down their neck.

The fact that Celtic are looking to bring in a new centre-forward this month is no secret.

Brendan Rodgers was forced to field young winger Mikey Johnstone in an unfamiliar centre-forward role during their toothless defeat at Rangers in December, with Moussa Dembele having gone to Lyon, Leigh Griffiths unavailable and Odsonne Edouard inconsistent in recent months.

Celtic have made a £1.75 million bid for Dunajska Streda striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo, according to the Daily Star, but former forward Charlie Nicholas believes the Scottish Premiership champions should look a little closer to home.

“I’d look at Liverpool’s Divock Origi. The Belgian isn’t getting a regular game so why not go and ask the question?” Nicholas told the Daily Star.

“Brendan could try to get Jermain Defoe in from Bournemouth or Christian Benteke from Crystal Palace.

“He has been poor at Palace but he would score goals for fun up here.”

Brendan Rodgers certainly knows Origi and Benteke well, having signed the pair during his time as the manager of Liverpool.

Origi has struggled for game time this season, while Benteke has scored just four Premier League goals since the start of last season, making a mockery of the £27 million Crystal Palace paid for him in 2016.

Veteran goal-scorer Defoe, meanwhile, has been heavily linked with Celtic’s Old Firm rivals Rangers in recent months, as stated by the Daily Record, and appears to need a fresh start with Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe preferring other options in attack.

Nicholas has also discussed Celtic’s need for a new right-back and has pointed out Young Boys’ Kevin Mbabu as a man who would fit the bill.

Interestingly, the one-time Newcastle United youngster had a loan spell at Rangers in 2015.

“He is playing every week and has proved himself at Champions League level,” Nicholas added.

At 23 he would be a real asset although he would maybe cost £7m or £8m. He plays like a right winger but I can see him going on to become a £30m man.”