Celtic’s top summer targets, Brendan Rodgers frustrations and insider thoughts on squad depth – transfer Q&A with market expert

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Celtic are planning ahead towards the summer transfer window with the league title all but sewn up.

Brendan Rodgers would have been disappointed not to land a striker back in January after Kyogo left for Rennes but Daizen Maeda has been able to plug the gap.

The scouting staff and boardroom will know they won’t get away with the same apathy in the summer when the market reopens as Rodgers simply won’t stand for it. And the Irishman will likely already have his own targets in mind to add to the recruitment staff’s thoughts on who to consider.

There is also the small matter of squad depth in general as well as recruitment chief Paul Tisdale going under the microscope to learn what he is capable of.

• READ MORE: What Celtic really said about Maik Nawrocki as Legia Warsaw’s ex-boss lifts lid on scout reports

67 Hail Hail spoke exclusively in detail with GRV’s own transfer guru, Graeme Bailey, about the summer ahead for Celtic, what it looks like and the positions the club want to reinforce.

Here’s what he had to say…

Is Brendan Rodgers still frustrated Celtic didn’t sign a striker in January?

Kyogo Furuhashi leaving was something that Rodgers accepted and knew what was coming, but he was told a replacement would arrive although given the time frame it was difficult. I am told Rodgers would have liked the deal done earlier than it was to make it possible for a new signing.

But they have put that behind them and are confident of putting it right this summer. However, the fact they also brought Jota in, that did please Rodgers – they know and believe he can really be a cornerstone for them going forward.

What is the insider thoughts on the Celtic squad heading into summer?

The squad is in good shape, even after losing Furuhashi, they are happy with how things have come together but they know they need action this summer. There might be more outgoings but they are aware they can’t not act upon that and not bring in new faces.

They know Rangers have not been at their best this season and the chances are they are going to be hugely improved next season. I do know they are absolutely delighted to have agreed terms for Kieran Tierney.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	30	24	3	3	89	20	69	75
2	RangersRangers	30	19	5	6	62	28	34	62
3	HibernianHibernian	30	11	11	8	45	41	4	44
4	AberdeenAberdeen	30	12	7	11	38	46	-8	43
5	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	30	11	8	11	38	40	-2	41

Do you know of the positions Celtic might look to strengthen in summer?

So, if nobody leaves – they want a striker and a midfielder ideally, but as I said that is a big if.

Kasper Schmeichel has confirmed he is staying in goal, but there are no guarantees elsewhere.

Cameron Carter-Vickers is attracting increasingly strong interest from England and he could return South of the Border, whilst there is major Premier League interest in Nicolas Kuhn too.

Then there is Daizen Maeda, having seen his compatriot Furuhashi leave, he is also believed to be on the radar of a host of clubs. If any of those were to leave, then it’s clear that Rodgers would demand a replacement.

What do you know about Paul Tisdale and the sort of player he likes as a manager… could that transition to his work as a Celtic recruitment chief?

Paul Tisdale is building the team for Rodgers primarily, but the ‘football doctor’ knows what he is doing. Tisdale is a very clever guy, I am told he does know what it means to play for Celtic and therefore what it means to scout for them.

There is a real confidence he can work with Rodgers and get what he wants. I think the fact Tisdale was a manager, really does help that relationship.

Who are the top Celtic summer targets?

Celtic really like Mathias Kvistgaarden – they have done so much work on this lad, they know he wants to come – he ticks their boxes. I am told they firmly believe that he could be special. They would ideally have liked to have done this deal before now and there is a worry that others could step in, but they are confident of getting that over the line.

Obviously they have already got Tierney but if they can add Kvistgaarden to that early on, that would be their ideal start.

Celtic are also still pushing for Lennon Miller, they rate him highly and would love to bring him in.

Has there been talk of a Jeff Schlupp permanent deal?

It’s a consideration – he will be available for free this summer. He really is impressing people around the club now and is doing well. As it stands, both are open to it.