Neil Lennon confirms who Celtic are looking to sign next

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has confirmed who the club will be looking to sign next as the transfer window is soon approaching its close.

Whether that’s a midfield attacking player on the left who can track back and defend, or a defending left back who can get forward and get crosses into the box remains to be seen.

What is sure is that anyone arriving will fill the gap Bolingoli has now left by going out on loan in Istanbul for a year. A new player would also provide added competition for places with Greg Taylor in the Celtic defence.

At the weekend James Forrest was used as a wing back, allowing attacking options with the new back three of Christopher Jullien, Kris Ajer and new signing Shane Duffy deployed. It’s questionable whether such an obviously attacking player as Forrest really gives enough defensive capability, especially for some of the tougher matches coming up.

That does suggest the need to get a left back in before the window ends, although there could be an option to make do as is. That’s if confidence is high for Andrew Gutman to hold the position down when his long loan out in the United States runs off at the year end.

The Glasgow Times reports Neil Lennon confirming the left back gap and the need to fill it.

"“It means there is a vacancy there now that needs to be filled.“So yeah, we are looking in that position.”"

Of course that gives nothing away re who nor when. Gutman could be a back up option and for longer term, but may not bring what Lennon wants in defence this season.

We have seen rumours linking Celtic with Alfie Doughty, a young left midfielder at Charlton. Apparently offers have been made by Celtic but turned down. Social media suggests The hoops will return with another offer, perhaps closer to Charlton’s alleged asking price of circa £750k

Asked about Doughty and also Ben Davies centre half at Preston who the hoops have expressed interest in, Neil Lennon gave very little away.

"“It is just speculation at the minute, if it is the right fit for the club and the team and the squad and it is within the financial budget then we will look to do that.“In terms of names I can’t give you any at the minute.”"

So no names, no news on who, but a definite nod to the need for a left back. If there was a critical signing in the remainder of this transfer window, it’d be for that position. A new arrival would bolster the defence, increase attacking options, all of which sounds highly sensible and desirable for the Hoops.