With so many positions in need of strengthening this January, one has to wonder how much Celtic will actually be able to do. It is not easy to sign players in the middle of the season as clubs are never keen to part ways with important contributors. But then there are those who are not playing much. They are often available if the right offer is made.
Goalkeeper is one position where Celtic might need to strengthen soon. Kasper Schmeichel has been struggling for several months now and flopped in back-to-back Hampden Park finals.
Most fans believe that the time has come to drop him and give Viljami Sinisalo a chance. The former Aston Villa man has rarely put a foot wrong when given a chance but for some reason, every manager seems reluctant to leave the experience of Schmeichel out of the team.
Despite that, Celtic have recently been linked with a move for Illan Meslier of Leeds United. A regular starter for the Peacocks not too long, he has dropped down the pecking order in recent years and currently finds himself as the third-choice goalie at Elland Road. So, is there an opportunity for the Hoops to swoop in and sign him?
Leeds United news confirmed that will interest Celtic fans
Daniel Farke does not look keen to part ways with Meslier, but might not stand in the goalkeeper's way if he wants to leave in January. As reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, the Leeds United manager said:
"The intention of myself is to each and every player, even if a player is at the moment not that much involved, just on the bench or not in the squad, like Illan.
“I’ve made my feelings clear about him, I rate him so much. A goalkeeper full of potential, unbelievably young for a goalkeeper. At this young age to have had so many Championship and Premier League games is remarkable. It's also a joy to work with him every day.
“At the moment we need all our goalkeepers, we’ve had injury and illness so for that, it's not the plan to do anything. Of course it can change in January if someone wants to leave but from my side there is no proactive wish to change anything in our goalkeeping squad. I’m happy to have them all and that we have really good options."
Meslier was linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe at one point in time. It is safe to say his stock has fallen quite a bit since those days.
Is Meslier the right answer for Celtic though? He does have the habit of making mistakes. So, if the Hoops sign him, they would be doing so in hopes that he is able to get that out of his game over time.