Celtic haven’t been at their best this season as they lost Moussa Dembele on the last day of the summer transfer window in 2018. They also failed to make it to the Champions League main draw, and everyone worried that Rangers could challenge them this season. The Blue side of Glasgow did put on a challenge, but it fizzled out by the first month of the new year. Celtic even went on to lose their influential manager Brendan Rodgers midway through the season, but even that didn’t derail them.
The Hoops are romping towards their 8th title in a row as they have an eleven point lead over Rangers. Their biggest test is now in the Scottish Cup where they play Aberdeen for a spot in the finals. Everything will definitely be hunky dory if they secure another treble.
However, the upcoming summer is going to be a crucial one for Celticproblemand it can make or break their upcoming season. With quite a few players set to depart from the club, we compile a list of positions where they will need reinforcements.
Right Back
The right-back conundrum hasn’t been solved for quite some time now, and the Bhoys have been linked with quite a few players in the last year. Mikael Lustig, Cristian Gamboa and Jeremy Toljan are in the final few months of their deal. Celtic would be better off signing a new right back and handing Lustig a one or two year deal to keep him as a backup option for the next season.
Centre Back
Dedryck Boyata and Filip Benkovic played together for most of the season when they were fit. The duo often looked impenetrable and the Hoops will need to replace the two as both of them are set to depart in the summer. Signing two centre-halves in the summer should definitely be on the agenda of the club.
Striker
Oliver Burke has often filled in the centre forward role since January, but he would leave the club after his loan spell expires. Leigh Griffiths should be back for the next season, and Celtic also signed Vakoun Issouf Bayo in January. But given the fact that Odsonne Edouard is injury prone, Celtic can probably look to sign a versatile striker who can play on the flanks as well as lead the line when required.
Goalkeeper
Not an immediate necessity for the summer, but Celtic will do well if they can get their hands on a goalkeeper. Craig Gordon is past his prime, and he is set to enter in the final year of his contract. Lennon (assuming he stays on) needs to bring in someone who can challenge Scott Bain for the no.1 spot.
