Celtic must must raid Scottish Premiership rivals Hibernian for Josh Doig in the January transfer window according to Hoops legend Charlie Nicholas, telling the Express that the full-back should be Ange Postecoglou’s number one target.
There’s not a lot wrong with Celtic’s starting XI these days.
The additions of Kyogo Furuhashi, Liel Abada, Joe Hart, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Josip Juranovic and the mesmerising Filipe Jota have strengthened the spine of Postecoglou’s side no end, laying the foundations for a title push after last season’s collapse.
One of the major obstacles standing between Postecoglou and domestic glory, however, is a substantial drop-off in quality between his first XI and his second-string.
The gulf was clear for all to see as Celtic threw away a 2-1 lead to lose in heartbreaking fashion against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League last week.
The Glasgow giants were purring at the Bay Arena, the free-flowing front three of Jota, Kyogo and James Forrest striking fear into the Leverkusen backline.
But when the tantalising trio were subbed off with around 20 minutes remaining, Celtic’s attacking threat went with them.
It’s been well documented, too, that Postecoglou hardly has a wealth of options at left-back either, with the right-footed Juranovic stepping in following Greg Taylor’s injury enforced absence.
Could Celtic sign Josh Doig from Hibs?
“Celtic need three signings in the January window and my top target would be Josh Doig,” Nicolas says of the Scotland U21 international left-back.
“They need a left-back and I would go for Doig at Hibs. I see him in the Kieran Tierney mould and, if he keeps developing, he will get better and better.
“Celtic can’t go out and buy the finished article. They need to develop players and sell them on. That is the Celtic model.”
Doig, who has also been linked with Leeds, Arsenal and West Ham in recent months, was valued at £5 million before signing a new, long-term contract at Hibernian.
Celtic are expected to reinforce their options on the left-hand side with the addition of Japan international Reo Hatate in the New Year, however (Daily Record).
“It also looks like Celtic are quite far down the road to sign a second Japanese player in Reo Hatate, who can also play left-back,” Nicholas adds.
“If Celtic signed both Doig and Hatate that would be the left-back spot covered and you could push Josip Jurnanovic across to the other flank to fight it out with Anthony Ralston.”
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