John Hartson says he expects Celtic to make multiple signings before the transfer window closes if Matt O’Riley officially leaves to join Brighton.
Speculation ramped up this week about O’Riley’s possible Celtic departure after Brighton boss, Fabian Hurzeler was quizzed about the Dane.
And after Fabrizio Romano posted on social media this week that the deal for O’Riley was close to completion after Celtic and Brighton agreed on a fee for the 23-year-old midfielder, it seems like it’s just a matter of time now before the transfer is made official.
And when the deal is done, John Hartson has shared how many players he expects Celtic to make before the transfer window closes next month.
Celtic’s multiple transfer need
It’s no secret that Brendan Rodgers is looking to add more quality to his Celtic team this summer, but now that O’Riley’s departure looks imminent, Hartson thinks Celtic will dip into the transfer market on multiple occasions before the September deadline.
Hartson told The Go Radio Football Show, “If Matt O’Riley goes, I can’t see Kyogo going now, personally, I expect another four before the end of the window.
“I think they need that many because they need quality going into so many games, so many competitions.”
Replacing O’Riley will be a huge ask for Rodgers and Celtic are undoubtedly weaker without the Dane, but Hartson also says that the midfield area is not the only position that requires attention this summer.
Hartson’s four key areas that Celtic need to strengthen
Celtic have already added four new players this window and Hartson has shared the positions Brendan Rodgers needs to look at if he wants to improve Celtic further.
Hartson continued, “I think they’ll need maybe a centre-half and another winger. I know Maeda has been deputising through the middle and done very well, but I do like him on the left when he cuts inside, using his pace up and down in his work rate.
“Maybe another centre-forward and a central midfield player for me. But as I said, I don’t think they’re particularly looking in any particular positions at the minute.
“I just think they’re looking for that extra bit of quality that can come in and help this group who have got a lot of quality already.”
Not many Celtic fans will disagree with Hartson’s assertion here but the former Hoops hero has missed one key area.
The left-back position is one that many Celtic supporters are in agreement that requires immediate attention.
Greg Taylor has done a fine job for Celtic but lack of competition and cover means that Rodgers is seriously short should the Scotland fullback require resting or worse, suffer an injury.
If Rodgers can add quality personnel to all those positions before the window closes then the vast majority of Celtic fans would be happy.
But with just under a week to go in the transfer window, time is running out for the Hoops boss.
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