Celtic fans were left frustrated at the outcome of their side’s January transfer window as just two new arrivals came through the door at Parkhead.
Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah are now in the building, offering Brendan Rodgers some variety in the forward areas.
Nevertheless, the failure to bring a left-back to Glasgow’s east end has left the Hoops short in the position due to Greg Taylor’s recent injury woes.
Alexandro Bernabei is the only available option on the left-hand bracket of Rodgers’ defence with any quantifiable senior experience; however, his last two performances haven’t been up to the mark.
Last weekend, right-footed Anthony Ralston came off the bench to replace the Argentine on the opposite flank and struggled to offer an attacking threat due to playing in an unfamiliar role.
Despite speculation that Celtic would bolster numbers in the area, nobody arrived before the deadline amid previous links with the likes of Tiago Araujo, Owen Beck and Hugo Bueno.
The lack of suitable alternatives has since become an Achilles heel in the Bhoys’ hunt for the title, which is unlikely to subside until Scotland international Taylor returns to contention.
Hibernian await tomorrow at Easter Road and it is hard to make a case for either Bernabei or Ralston to start on the left, though Rodgers’ hand may be forced in that regard.
Stephen McGowan unimpressed with Celtic’s transfer activity
Amid an undercurrent of scepticism surrounding the Hoops’ January transfer business, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that there is a Scottish Premiership trophy on the line, which will be where Rodgers’ full focus lies between now and the end of the season.
If anything, that is where the majority of frustration has stemmed from, given that Celtic have once again failed to build from a position of strength following 2022/23’s treble-winning exploits.
Daily Mail journalist Stephen McGowan has also levelled criticism at the Bhoys’ mid-season recruitment, stating [Press Box Podcast]: “The January transfer window was supposed to be Celtic’s get out of jail card, that was supposed to be the time that if they were struggling.
“They’ve got all this money in the bank, the £70 million or whatever it is, and they could spy 3 or 4 quality footballers, in the words of Brendan Rodgers.
“The trouble is you reap what you sow, when they had the chance to press home this financial advantage. Okay, they spent £3 million on Kuhn who scored yesterday off the bench, they signed Idah who had some good touches but is an inexperienced loan striker from the Championship.
“Damningly, they failed to secure the quality left-back that Brendan Rodgers wanted. That left him with an injured Greg Taylor pressing the hopeless Bernanei into the starting XI. So, I think the January from Celtic was an act of corporate negligence.”
Celtic need to prove they have enough in title fight
Only 14 matches remain in the Scottish Premiership calendar as Celtic look to clinch league glory for the third year on the bounce.
This time around, they may have some genuine competition for their crown from the other side of the city in a race that may go down to the wire.
Rodgers was brought back to make his money in these scenarios, and the Irishman will be determined to ensure his side are on top come the end of May.
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