Celtic great Chris Sutton has stated that he believes the right-backs Celtic have been targeting have been turning them down.
The Hoops have been linked with a host of different names to take Mikael Lustig’s place down the right. The big Swede has turned into a bit of a liability, and many supporters want him replaced.
During that search, Celtic have looked at the likes of Timothy Castagne and Omar Elabdellaoui. Dominic Iorfa and Fernando Fonseca have also been linked with the club over the last week too.
But whilst it didn’t seem as though the club had made a move for any of them. Sutton believes different. Speaking to the official BT Sport Facebook page, the big Englishman stated his sources have informed him that Celtic have simply been rejected.
“Celtic need a right-back, that’s what they need. They’ve been in for a couple who’ve turned them down, and that’s disappointing. I can’t reveal my sources.
“Do I think they’ll sign a right-back? Well they have to. I think it would be hugely disappointing if they didn’t get one in.
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“I think Ralston has got a lot to do (to be number on). It’s a position Celtic have to be looking into. Lustig has been a fantastic servant for Celtic, but everybody has their day.”
Have we all been too harsh on the club then?
If you’re inclined to believe Sutton here, then Celtic have been hard at work this month on the right-back issue. Despite there being no reports of a bid being accepted for any of them, the Hoops may have been keeping things away from the public eye.
The club have been getting plenty of stick from supporters for failing to sign a new right-back so far. Whether the likes of Castagne and Elabdellaoui have ruled out an interest in the move, however, could’ve been the case.
But, in any case, it’s still disappointing Celtic haven’t been able to recruit someone at least. It was the second highest priority of January after the striking positions. You would still hope the club can sort it out before the end of the month.
Anthony Ralston’s injury picked up against Airdrie also rules him out for weeks. Any back-up the club had on using him is now out of the window, and only increases the need to find a new right-back this January.
Overall, it’s disappointing to hear this from Sutton. Hopefully it isn’t the case, but it would certainly explain an awful lot.