Celtic are already said to be working to address their biggest problem ahead of the January transfer window. The Bhoys knew they had a problem before the summer transfer window shut, but they were not willing to pay the required money to address it.
The Hoops lost Arne Engles to West Ham on a £22million deal, and that is the sort of player who simply must be replaced, even if it is with a less talented player.
Engels was by no means a midfield enforcer, but he was able to win back the ball regularly, and most importantly, he had the ability to dominate the ball anywhere on the pitch. He could protect it and make the risky passes others shy away from to keep possession or create chances going forward.
Celtic tried to replace him with Torino's Gvidas Gineitis, but they wouldn't pay the required fee, and ended up going without. Oliver Sorensen and Joel van den Berg were both added to the midfield, but neither are holding midfielders, and while loan signing Landon Emenalo can play there, he has been signed as a left-back.
In reality, Mika Baur is the only option there, and he is not a defensive midfielder, as has already been proven, operating in that role but with the licence to play further forward, essentially leaving Callum McGregor as a single pivot.
Now getting on in age, McGregor hasn't got the legs to effectively do that role alone against better teams, and that is no crticism of him, many players much younger and more agile than him cannot play as a single pivot. It's a very demanding job.
At least in their current shape under Martin O'Neill, Celtic have shown they need to play with a double pivot, but it has been completely ineffective in big games like those against LASK or Rangers because of the reasons mentioned. Baur plays further forward and cannot deal with the physical demands, therefore they are actually playing with only one.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the closest Celtic can get, but then they lack legs in the midfield, without a player who can pick up the ball from deep and drive forward. That's something Baur can do, but his defensive limitations are a problem.
Other than a change of shape to account for the issue, Celtic have no real options within their current squad, but according to CeltsAreHere, they are aware of that, and they will move to bring in a new defensive midfielder in January, already working on potential deals. Gineitis will be the most likely, but they will surely this time line up more than one option to make sure they get one over the line.
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