Celtic deadline day flop mirrors Arsenal, what Mikel Arteta said about striker failure should resonate with Brendan Rodgers

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Celtic had key priorities mapped out for January’s transfer window.

Kieran Tierney was one they wanted in before Arsenal refused to sanction his exit as they wanted to keep him and his experience until the end of the season.

Jeffrey Schlupp arrived as left-back cover albeit midfield may be his best position on the pitch.

A striker was Brendan Rodgers’ key target area after landing Jota on the wing while Sondre Orjasaeter was wanted before Sarpsborg 08 knocked back an offer.

Fans had their say on deadline day at Parkhead and most were unhappy that a striker did not materialise despite allowing Kyogo to move out to Rennes and raking in £10million on that deal.

• READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers says Celtic coaching staff see ‘real difference’ in Bhoys star who will now play more

Celtic failed to land a deadline day striker

Rodgers had made several hints at a hitman being his ideal and the Irishman will be kicking himself that he was unable to get one in the door.

But Celts are not the only club who were unable to do their ideal business in January and that is where Arsenal and Mikel Arteta circles back around.

The Gunners, like Celtic, were desperate for a striker as they hope to push Liverpool all the way in the Premier League title race.

They, again like the Hoops, had plenty of time to make something happen but eventually Arteta would be left frustrated, as Rodgers would have been.

And the Spaniard’s comments when asked by the media about his club’s lack of action was very, eerily similar.

How Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal complaints mirror Celtic’s

“We had a clear intention which is always that there is a window open to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players that can impact it.

“We haven’t achieved it, so we are disappointed in that sense.

But as well, we are very aware that we only want to bring certain kinds of players and we have to be very disciplined with that as well and I think that we were.”

“We’re going to have to be very flexible in the front line and the ones we have on their feet have to keep contributing.

“Leo [Trossard] can play in that position, Raheem [Sterling] has played in that position, Ethan [Nwaneri] I think can play in that position, Martinelli can play there.

“So let’s see in relation to how everyone is with moment, opponent, but we’re going to have to try something.”

It reflects Celtic’s dilemma with their attackers as versatile players have been told to play elsewhere to accommodate a lack of business.

Daizen Maeda can play as a striker which has perhaps let Celts off, a tad.