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Celtic's new starting XI if transfer rumours prove true, including new midfielder

The Bhoys are racing the clock
O'Neill needs new recruits
O'Neill needs new recruits | Andrew Milligan - PA Images/GettyImages

Celtic are racing the clock to get deals done ahead of the transfer deadline, which is on Wednesday at 5pm, but the UEFA deadline is at 11pm the night before.

The Bhoys still have plenty of work to do, and it looks as though Joel Van den Berg will be the next in, set to join from PSV. As the work continues, we have put together Celtic's ideal starting XI if transfer rumours prove true.

GK - Viljami Sinisalo

Sinisalo has been solid this season, even if he will be disappointed with the Falkirk goal over the weekend. He deserves an opportunity to be the starter, even if a back-up is still going to need to be found.

LB - Kieran Tierney

Tierney is going to be the starting left-back when fit, but again, Celtic need to sign a competent back-up in this position.

CB - Auston Trusty

Trusty missed out over the weekend, but he has largely been a steady option and is likely preferred ahead of Liam Scales currently.

CB - Cameron Carter-Vickers

It's a similar story for Carter-Vickers, who is the stronger of the two in terms of physicality, and he is likely to remain a starter.

RB - Alistair Johnston

Johnston is going to be out for a few weeks through injury, but he is undoubtedly the starter on the right when fit. Colby Donovan will be his back-up, and the youngster has done well.

CDM - Callum McGregor

McGregor is Celtic's reliable holding midfielder, and he will continue to be the true anchor of the midfield.

CDM - Gvidas Gineitis

Celtic are said to be back in for Torino star Gvidas Gineitis, who will be a pricey signing. He would be an almost guaranteed starter, with Celtic needing a more starting-calibre holding midfielder to play alongside McGregor, especially in Europe, with Oxlade-Chamberlain being a good back-up. Mika Baur can also play here, but he needs to play further forward and with the licence to not be expected to defend heavily. That may be more likely in the league than the Europa League.

CAM - Benjamin Nygren

Nygren is one of Celtic's most creative and dangerous players. He will lead the way in the attacking midfield role. and it's likely that newboy Joel van den Berg will be his relief.

RW -Camilo Duran

Duran showed how he can perform in his more natural striker role over the weekend, but with Kasper Hogh likely to start in the number nine role, the Colombian will likely have to play out wide. He has done well on the right and will likely remain there for the most part.

LW - Haissem Hassan

The Duran situation has a knock-on effect for Hassan, who is surely going to have to play, and we saw good signs from the Eypt international over the weekend. With Duran having to play on the right in a somewhat mis-shaped attack, Hassan may have to go over to the left. If not, then Duran will have to play on the left. Sebastian Tounekti and Yang Hung-jun are also options, but neither have set the world alight, while Jota is going to return from injury to play a big part, but we will not include him for now given we don't know when he is going to be back at full speed.

CF - Kasper Hogh

We have seen some good stuff from Hogh, particularly in how he holds the ball up and brings wingers into play. He will likely be the starter for the most part, but his finishing does need to get sharper.

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