Celtic have been linked with Borussia Dortund right-back Jeremy Toljan, according to the Scottish Daily Mail (January 29th, page 78).
The Hoops have been linked with a host of right-backs in recent weeks. These involve the likes of Porto’s Fernando Fonseca, Atalanta’s Timothy Castagne, and Olympiakos’ Omar Elabdellaoui.
Yet, Toljan is just the latest name to be thrown up in the right-back bingo this month.
But there’s also one catch – and that’s the fact Dortmund are apparently only interested in letting him leave on loan. Toljan did make 27 appearances for the German heavyweights last season. This term, however, he’s been limited to no outings whatsoever.
Mikael Lustig and Cristian Gamboa’s contracts run out at the end of the year. Therefore, a replacement for Lustig in particular is vital.
Anthony Ralston has emerged over the last couple of months, but he’s currently sidelined. This has left the much-maligned Lustig to be selected over the last two matches.
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Celtic can’t afford to be in that situation for the rest of the season. With big tests away to the likes of Rangers, Aberdeen, Hearts, and Hibs to come – Lustig can easily be exploited in those as he has been in the past.
But Toljan would only be a short-term fix. With only a loan deal on the table, Celtic would need to go looking again in the summer. Given the finances Celtic have, it would be wise to sort this long-running issue out now and have him bedded in for next season’s Champions League qualifiers.
Worryingly, he also made a run of mistakes during his first season at the club. Under Peter Bosz, he was trusted to do a job down the right, but hasn’t impressed many since signing from Hoffenheim.
Brendan Rodgers was asked during his press conference on Celtic TV about whether he was disappointed in the lack of defensive reinforcements this January. The Northern Irishman denied that he was, but did open up on getting another player or two in before the window closed.
For now, Toljan can be added to the long list of right-backs Celtic have apparently looked at, as everyone awaits the conclusion of the right-back search.