The transfer repeat Celtic will be keen to sidestep in the hunt for late arrivals

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Brendan Rodgers has remained calm at Celtic regarding questions surrounding potential new arrivals at Parkhead.

It is no secret that frustration over the lack of incomings has emanated from some supporters. Paulo Bernardo is the only new outfield player in the squad in the second week of August.

Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo have come in to address the goalkeeping situation. However, Rodgers won’t be keen to settle for less in his pursuit of further silverware.

Outgoings could also occur in the window’s final weeks. Despite Celtic’s reluctance to let Stephen Welsh go amid a rejected approach from KV Mechelen, Yuki Kobayashi, Gustaf Lagerbielke, and Maik Nawrocki could vacate, leaving space for a central defender to arrive before the deadline.

With this in mind, it is important the Bhoys avoid a transfer repeat in their search for security within the rearguard.

Celtic and the late window defender search

Say Celtic are in for a central defender late in the window; there would be parallels with last year’s search that culminated in a loan move for Nat Phillips, albeit that was for different reasons. Coming in during an injury crisis, the Liverpool man featured a handful of times before his stint was abruptly ended in January.

This piece isn’t meant with any disrespect toward the player himself but rather to shine a light on the circumstances needing consideration if a move for a centre-back is to be sanctioned.

At the time, numbers were stretched as Rodgers had to deal with unwanted fitness issues early into his second spell. Maik Nawrocki, Stephen Welsh, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Yuki Kobayashi were all on the sidelines, so it felt like anyone would do to fill some space ahead of their return.

Phillips came in with little match sharpness to his name. Despite his age, he hasn’t played much senior football and was firmly out-of-favour at Anfield.

Late loan deals to shore up the backline may be appealing on paper, but Celtic need to bear in mind that recruiting in markets where individuals haven’t had a lot of regular minutes in the recent term can throw up unwanted complications.

Ideally, if the Bhoys are to invest in a new defender, even on a temporary basis, they will have an appropriate level of match fitness to help them slot in and make an impact from the get-go.