This January transfer window is one that will be vital for Celtic and their chances of making a run at the title in the second half of the season. Wilfried Nancy is set to be announced as the new manager of the club soon, replacing Martin O'Neill. Those are big shoes to fill for anybody, especially someone with no experience of managing in European football.
Nancy needs to be given the proper backing by the club if they want to see him succeed at Parkhead. And one of the areas in need of strengthening is between the posts.
To be very honest, Kasper Schmeichel is no longer the player that he was in his prime. That is understandable. But even more worryingly, he might no longer be the one we saw at the start of the previous campaign.
As reported by the Daily Mail (via Football Insider), Stefan Ortega wants to leave Manchester City. He is eyeing the January window for a possible departure.
Celtic handed boost in race to sign Manchester City player
Ortega is someone who has been linked with a move to Celtic going back to Brendan Rodgers' time at the club. Now, while the manager might be different, it would not come as a surprise if the Hoops have the same target to fill the spot between the posts.
This is a strategy that Celtic have followed quite often. Joe Hart and Schmeichel were both veterans who were brought in. Fraser Forster was on loan for a season as well, and it was reported that the Hoops wanted him back on a permanent basis.
Now, it remains to be seen if they are successful in signing Ortega or not. He has proven himself as a very good option for Manchester City already as the backup.