Celtic are said to be weighing up an English centre-back as they look to add more depth to the back line this summer. Martin O'Neill has plenty of work to do in the transfer market, with plenty of gaps in his squad as things stand.
The Bhoys are yet to make a move in the summer window, leaving them with plenty of work to do, now with less than a month until the new season kicks off.
Celtic have just one out-and-out striker on their books as things stand, and they still need a starting goalkeeper, while there are likely to be big-name exits such as Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda this summer.
Parker emerges as defensive option
Of all the areas Celtic need to strengthen, they are doing okay when it comes to the centre-back position. The Bhoys have five centre-backs on their books for next season, though that does include Dane Murray and Maik Nawrocki, and it's unclear what the short-term future looks like for those players.
Regardless, it's likely Celtic only need one centre-back signing this summer, and if they sign two, one is likely to be either a younger option or a depth option, perhaps an older player who is happy to contribute here and there.
When it comes to the main centre-back signing, one option, according to Pete O'Rourke, could be Michael Parker. The former West Brom defender has been doing well in Sweden's top flight with Orgryte after joining in February after leaving the Baggies, and he is said to be attracting attention.
Parker was an under-21s player at West Brom, still only 21 now, and he has been thriving with regular senior football abroad. The young defender is said to be attracting attention due to his form, even if he only signed a two-and-a-half year deal back in February.
O'Rourke claimed: "Celtic and Rangers are among multiple clubs keeping tabs on former West Brom defender Michael Parker following his impressive form at Orgryte IS. Anderlecht, Udinese and Strasbourg are also keen on the defender."
Naturally, we don't know if the claim holds any water, and there is always reason to be a little sceptical when Celtic and Rangers are lumped in together, especially when it comes to a player in a more obscure league, who is unlikely to have caught the attention of both clubs.
But Celtic are good at identifying players in world leagues, and it could be one to keep an eye on.
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