With the signings of Carl Starfelt and Osaze Urhoghide made this summer, Celtic could now be turning their attention towards full-backs.
At right-back, the Hoops are short of options after both Jeremie Frimpong and Hatem Abd Elhamed departed last season while Jonjoe Kenny’s loan spell has also come to an end. At left-back, neither Greg Taylor nor Boli Bolingoli have managed to nail down the first-team spot during their time at the club.
In the recent past, the club have been linked with Derby County right-back Nathan Byrne. And now, it looks like they could have their eyes on another of The Rams’ players.
As reported by the Daily Record, Celtic are keeping tabs on Lee Buchanan, who has also caught the scouts’ attention.
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Celtic might need to strengthen in both full-back positions this summer
At this point of time, right-back appears to be a position of immediate need. Anthony Ralston is the only option there right now and he is yet to show that he can be a consistent starter for the Hoops.
Thus, someone like Byrne could be a good signing, as he has extensive experience in the Championship and League One. It is worth pointing out though that the club have been linked with several other right-backs and it remains to be seen who they end up signing for the position.
At least at left-back, the club have a pair of options. But even then, it is an area which could do with some strengthening. Buchanan is coming off of a brilliant 2020/21 campaign with Wayne Rooney’s side.
The ideal scenario would be to sign both a right-back and a left-back this summer. But it feels unlikely that it will be the Derby County duo that they will sign. The Championship club narrowly avoided relegation last season and Rooney is not expected to be keen on letting some of the club’s best players leave ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.