Injuries have been a major problem for Celtic all season and a key reason behind Brendan Rodgers' side struggling to find any form or consistency. The mood around Parkhead has been lifted significantly following the Glasgow Derby win but there is still a long way to go in the campaign and the Hoops cannot afford to slip up again.
The January transfer window provides them a great opportunity to strengthen the squad for the second half of the campaign. At the same time, some could head for the exit door as well, in search of playing time.
Gustaf Lagerbielke was signed in the summer for a transfer fee around £3 million. But there has already been a lot of speculation around his future. Celtic's injury problems could see him stay on at Parkhead though.
As reported by The Scottish Sun, Lagerbielke looked set to be allowed to leave permanently or on loan. Fresh injuries to Cameron Carter-Vickers and Stephen Welsh could yet see the Swede stay put, depending on the timescale for their return.
£3 million Celtic player could stay after double injury
Lagerbielke scored a heroic winner for Celtic against Feyenoord recently. It was their first Champions League win in several years and first at Parkhead in over a decade.
The expectation was that Lagerbielke would get some playing time after that game. That has not happened. In fact, he has not played a single minute of football for the Hoops since then and it is quite clear that the Swedish international is way down the centre-back pecking order.
Thus, him leaving in January, whether permanently or on loan, would have made sense for both parties. Now though, it looks like Celtic's injury problems could result in him staying at Parkhead for the second half of the season.