The Hoops boss hopes to have a new recruit by tomorrow.
New Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers during the press conference
Brendan Rodgers is hopeful of signing a centre-back by tomorrow, according to quotes published by the Herald Scotland.
Celtic are woefully short of options in the heart of defence, with Efe Ambrose and Erik Sviatchenko the only senior options at present, and Rodgers is confident that will soon change.
“It’s a big concern but that’s what we have,” said the Northern Irishman when asked about his defensive crisis.
Brendan Rodgers
“Ideally, we would want to try and at least have one more in by the deadline, all being well. I want it now – but it doesn’t always work out that way.
“Is it realistic? I would hope so. It won’t be the fault of this club if not. The club are looking to do everything they can to support my needs and what I want,” he added.
The deadline referred to by Rodgers is the cut-off point that new signings have to be registered by in order to play in the next Champions League qualifying round – assuming the Hoops navigate a way past the Lincoln Red Imps tonight, of course.
Celtic’s Erik Sviatchenko
Sviatchenko is expected to be fit for this evening’s clash, after recovering from a head injury sustained in Saturday’s friendly win over Wolfsburg, but the issue of who will partner him remains a big one.
Kristoffer Ajer started alongside side him against the German club and looked assured, but it would nevertheless be a risk to chuck the 18-year old into the deep-end right away.
Celtic’s Efe Ambrose
Ambrose once again showcased his fondness for calamitous errors in the first leg last week and will do well to wear the green and white ever again.
Mikael Lustig is another option at centre-back but Rodgers will hope he can add real quality to his backline soon, with Kolo Toure and Shane Duffy among those being considered, according to the Herald’s report.
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