The upcoming January transfer window could be a very important one for Celtic. Since the return of Brendan Rodgers as manager in the summer, to replace Ange Postecoglou, it has never looked like the Hoops have gotten out of second gear. They do put in good performances here and there, like the recent one against Hibernian, but overall, this is not a team that has shined.
There are a few positions where Celtic could do with reinforcements. And if Rodgers' recent comments to the media are anything to go by, it looks like they will attempt to stregthen in January.
Of course, it is always difficult to sign players in January. Clubs are not keen to see key stars leave in the middle of the season and that drives up the transfer fee that it takes to convince them.
Celtic have been told that they could do with another striker and a left-back. As reported by the Daily Record, Mark Wilson told Clyde 1:
"He (Greg Taylor) hasn't been at his sparkling best. I watched him closely on Sunday (vs St Johnstone) and he looks like a player who's wee bit lacking in confidence.
"I don't think the situation helps him where has no real competition. I think Celtic do need another left-back in. If that is to push Greg Taylor to the levels he was, so be it, or if it is to replace him and Greg Taylor pushes the new guy, so be it. Bernabei certainly isn't the answer.
"I don't believe come the 30th December (vs Rangers) that Brendan Rodgers will look at Oh and think he is going to start. I think Brendan Rodgers will look for someone else in January, not to get rid of Oh, but someone to go between Kyogo and Oh. I think there is another step there."
Celtic tipped to sign two players in January window
Celtic might need to bring in another striker in in January urgently. There is the AFC Asian Cup starting in January and there is a good possibility that both Kyogo Furuhashi and Oh Hyeon-gyu could be selected by their respective national teams.
One could argue that Celtic have needed a third option at striker for a while anyway. Recently, they have been particularly linked with two, Bojan Miovski of Aberdeen and Mathias Kvistgaarden of Brondby. But one would expect the Hoops to have alternative targets as well.
When it comes to left-back, Greg Taylor has retained his place as a starter. He has done a decent job but has failed to match the levels he reached under the management of Postecoglou. On the other hand, Alexandro Bernabei seems to be completely out of Rodgers' plans and has only made a few appearances off the bench so far in this campaign.