Celtic have identified 3 priority areas in which they want to strengthen this summer, according to the Athletic.
The report from Kieran Devlin states that the Hoops are in the market for a ball-playing centre-back, as well as a left-back and a right-winger.
The Athletic also claim that for the latter, they want a player similar in their quality of movement to that of Kyogo and Daizen Maeda.
Celtic have already been linked with Hammarby’s Iraqi left-back Mohanad Jeahze this week [Scottish Sun]. The Daily Mail, meanwhile, stated that the Hoops are keen on a move for right-winger Ola Solbakken as a back-up should the Jota deal fall through [print edition, 27/04, back page].
But the Athletic believe that the 3 target areas listed above are still priorities that the club want to strengthen irrespective of whether Jota and/or Cameron Carter-Vickers sign up permanently.
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With the transfer speculation clearly ramping up this week, it’s extremely promising from a Celtic supporter’s perspective that things appear to be getting done early once more.
One of the key advantages we held over rivals back in the January window was that we moved quickly and got bodies in the door well before deadline day. For once, we were relaxed heading into the final hours of the window knowing all of our work was complete.
It would be great if we could work in similar fashion this summer. And no doubt the club will be courting a list of potential targets for their priority positions as we speak.
With regards to the reported positions those may be, we can’t disagree. Celtic do need some genuine competition for Greg Taylor. In addition to that, James Forrest simply can’t be relied upon to push Liel Abada as our first-choice right-winger. Not with his recent injury problems that have again carried into this year.
Finally, a ball-playing centre-back is an interesting one. It perhaps shows where Ange feels the likes of Christopher Jullien and Stephen Welsh are at just now. Especially if this is still a must-have should CCV sign up.
Hopefully, we can get cracking on all of our priority positions as soon as possible. It would certainly increase the confidence levels for the new campaign.
In other news, Chris Sutton left stunned as Celtic’s Carter-Vickers omitted from POTY shortlist