Jonthan Afolabi hasn’t played for Scottish Premiership champions Celtic since moving to Glasgow from Premier League strugglers Southampton.
Thanks to an impressive end to the transfer window, Celtic have a number of options in almost every position.
They are spoilt for choice in goal and in both full-back positions while Neil Lennon is hardly short of quality in central midfield or out wide either. The fact that Tom Rogic and Scott Sinclair are far from regular starters these days speaks volumes.
But if there is one area where Celtic are a little light, it’s where it really, really matters. Odsonne Edouard can’t stop scoring this season but, behind him, there is a worrying lack of depth as it stands.
Leigh Griffiths has barely kicked a ball this season while Vakoun Issouf Bayo, the physical frontman who was just starting to make a name for himself in green and white, could miss the next six weeks with Lennon telling Sky Sports after the 2-0 win against St Mirren that he requires surgery to fix a knee problem.
With the transfer window still two months away, Celtic will have to look within in order to provide some support for Edouard – but while the door has just slammed shut on Bayo, a window may be creaking open for Jonathan Afolabi.
One of seven teenagers who joined Celtic over the summer, the Republic of Ireland U21 international is yet to make his debut for the Hoops after joining from Southampton.
But with the Premiership leaders facing ten games in all competitions over the next six weeks, including crucial clashes with Lazio, Cluj and Rennes in the Europa League, it seems almost inconceivable that 19-year-old Afolabi will not feature for the first time between now and mid-December – when Bayo is expected to return.
And, who knows, Afolabi could soon become Celtic’s second choice striker should he seize his chance to impress. This feels like the stroke of luck he’s been waiting for.
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