Celtic did not come out of the January transfer window with the new striker they wanted.
Brendan Rodgers always wanted more firepower to add to his squad with Kyogo telling the club early he wanted to leave for a new challenge.
Jota was signed and made an instant impact in his return clash with Motherwell over the weekend but only left-back Jeffrey Schlupp was confirmed on deadline day before the market shut until the summer.
Fans reacted to Schlupp’s signing with plenty of welcomes but there was some criticism of a lack of a new frontman in the door.
And even Schlupp’s best position was debated despite presumably coming into the club to act as a challenger for Greg Taylor‘s spot at the back.
Earlier in the day yesterday, Premier Sports broadcast their Scottish Football Social Club show and had discussions about Celtic‘s January plans.
Michael Stewart had what some might consider a controversial take on the striker situation but it may well be exactly what the club were thinking about the spot.
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Adam Idah has hit the goals trail recently after forcing an og vs Young Boys and then smashing in a brace vs Aston Villa in the Champions League.
Rodgers has been pleased with Idah’s contributions this season but given the Irishman has found his shooting boots again, Stewart suggested that Celtic might have felt they can get by with just Idah and perhaps Daizen Maeda as a makeshift forward if need be.
And if the number nine can get a strong run in the starting XI and really find his feet, any potential summer striker incoming would then have serious competition on their hands to wrestle the spot away from Idah.
Stewart posed: “Is there an argument to be said that domestically Celtic don’t need another striker…”
To which Alan Hutton replied: “Absolutely not…”
That did not deter Stewart from making his point.
And the former Hearts and Hibs midfielder might have got it spot on.
Mikey Stewart might have got Celtic’s striker dilemma spot on
He said: “I’m talking about this season domestically.
“The Champions League against Bayern Munich is a massive game and Idah is capable of playing that game.
“Is there an argument to be had to say, ‘Let’s press pause on trying to recruit another top striker in this window or in the next few hours, give Idah the second half of the campaign to really build himself up and then look to strengthen in the summer.
“If he does get this three or four month run where he feels he is the main man, then he’s got the opportunity to show and say, ‘I am the main guy, I’m the number nine and whoever else you’re bringing in has got to be an incredible level’.
“If they bring someone else in like a Mathias Kvistgaarden or whatever just now, it almost dents Idah’s confidence before it gets going.”
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