BRENDAN RODGERS’ faces a race against time to get the players in he thinks will strengthen his Celtic squad before the transfer window closes.
Scottish Premiership clubs have until 7pm on Monday to get their business done, so it’s going to be a hectic few days inside Parkhead and there’s also the small matter of the Old Firm derby at Ibrox on Sunday.
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The Celtic board have faced strong criticism from fans over the club’s lack of business before their crucial Champions League play-off against Kairat Almaty which they ultimately lost.
But there are signs there will be a flurry of activity between now and Monday.
Two players that are definitely in the door are Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Marcelo Saracchi.
The talented winger Balikwisha signed from Antwerp in a £4.5million deal on Thursday.
Full-back Saracchi has also been announced on a season-long loan from Boca Juniors – he’ll provide cover for Kieran Tierney.
Kasper Dolberg is the latest player to be linked with the Hoops and there are strong suggestions in Denmark that this deal will get done.
It would be Celtic’s biggest outlay this summer by some margin if the transfer of the 27-year-old goes through.
That all depends on though on Adam Idah’s position with the out-of-form striker closing in on a move to Swansea City.
They’re also reportedly looking at a Tunisian winger Sebastian Tounekti who plays his football in Sweden.
SunSport’s Ryan Rowe discusses with David Friel the latest transfer news and gossip in what promises to be an exciting last few days of the window.
What would Kasper Dolberg bring to Celtic?
Celtic are big admirers of him. I think he’s a very good footballer.
You can look at stats and everything, all the data that’s flying about just now and look at what his best attributes are etc..
But I think he’s just a good player, a really good pedigree.
He’s got 55 caps for Denmark in a period where Denmark have been very good.
He’s played for Ajax, Sevilla, Nice, now Anderlecht, he scored 24 goals last season, he’s got five in eight games this season.
He’s 27, when he was at Ajax as a kid he was the next big thing.
He’s loved at Anderlecht but the club have some money problems and they don’t have European football.
It’s clear having spoken to colleagues in Belgium over the past couple of days they need to sell.
It’s just whether Celtic can meet their asking price it’s believed to be around £8.5m.
Does new signing Michel-Ange Balikwisha start against Rangers?
I think he does.
You looked at Celtic during the week and over the two legs against Kairat Almaty they were never really troubled.
I know Kairat had a goal disallowed and a couple of close shaves in the first leg but, over the tie, I think Celtic were pretty sound defensively.
The problem for me was a lack of guile, a lack of creativity in the final third.
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Look, Celtic in the end should have scored a goal.
They should have got the winner in Kazakhstan.
They didn’t, they paid the price with the penalty shootout, but they need a spark in attack.
Where do Celtic need to strengthen before the window closes?
The deadline for Scottish Premiership clubs is 7pm on Monday.
I would say they will need another winger on top of Balikwisha.
I think they might do a striker swap in terms of Idah out and I think all being well Dolberg in.
We’ll see how that one pans out.
I know there’s a lot of talk about another striker potentially.
I’m not sure it will happen.
I just think unless someone else leaves, you know, Johnny Kenny’s still there.
Callum Osmand’s still there in the background, if you’re looking for backup strikers, Daizen Maeda and Shin Yamada.
So I think definitely a winger and a striker if Adah goes.
Beyond that, I’m not sure that there will be much else, to be perfectly honest.
I think it would all depend on potential exits, is there a curve-ball somewhere?
Reo Hatate, somebody like that? I’m just plucking him out of thin air again, don’t get too worried, Celtic fans!
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
