Celtic made just two signings in January while Brendan Rodgers also let several fringe players leave the building.
Nicolas Kuhn was the marquee addition for the Hoops following his £3 million switch from Rapid Vienna during the mid-way point of the window.
Of course, Republic of Ireland international Adam Idah completed his loan move around an hour before the deadline to provide an alternative to Kyogo Furuhashi and Hyeongyu Oh in the centre-forward position.
Departures also took place in the final stages before the market slammed shut, with fringe winger Mikey Johnston sealing a loan exit to West Bromwich Albion for the remainder of the campaign.
On the same token, Melbourne City have picked up rarely seen Marco Tilio on a similar agreement; meanwhile, David Turnbull was the only permanent sale of the day to Cardiff City, netting the club £2 million.
Rodgers justified the decision to sell the 24-year-old, stating: “Obviously, he was in the last year of his contract, so I felt it was best for us and for him to get out and play.”
Chris Sutton can’t understand why Celtic sold David Turnbull
Celtic are a little light in midfield just now due to Reo Hatate’s calf issue, which will see the Japan international miss between five to six weeks of domestic action.
In light of this, Hoops icon Chris Sutton has aired his confusion as to why the Scotland international was let go without a replacement.
The former England international also touched on Gustaf Lagerbielke remaining at the club, writing in his Daily Record column: “I just can’t see the strategy. It’s so muddled. Look at Gustaf Lagerbielke. He was on his way to Lecce but got called back with doubts over Cameron Carter-Vickers’ injury.
“That’s tough on the player, but it’s the way it goes. But why then let David Turnbull go when Reo Hatate is going to be out for a number of weeks?
“Celtic got money from Cardiff and it looked like he wanted to go. But Sometimes there are greater needs. I’m not saying Turnbull is a world-beater but he has an eye for goal. He is the club’s third top scorer this season and one of the few at the club who knows how to hit a penalty.”
Celtic need to move on following David Turnbull’s exit
Turnbull scored seven times in 16 league matches this campaign despite not being the most athletic of midfielders; nevertheless, he is now elsewhere and opportunities will arise for other players to come into Rodgers’ engine room [Transfermarkt].
There are obviously concerns over the lack of an alternative, given that the Hoops didn’t look to strengthen the position on deadline day.
Come the summer, entering the market for another midfielder may emerge as a priority, though we will need to wait and see on that front.
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