OPINION
Celtic must add a new centre-back before the end of the transfer window and Bristol City’s Aden Flint is the kind of leader they need at the back.
Sky Sports claimed on Tuesday that Championship side Birmingham City had a bid of £3.5million rejected for the 6ft 5in colossus, with his future at Ashton Gate still very much up in the air.
It is unclear if Birmingham will make a second offer for the 28-year-old with Brentford’s Harlee Dean said to be closing in on a move to the Blues, but Norwich City remain interested in Flint’s services.
The likes of Leeds, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough have also been attracted to Flint throughout the transfer window, but Celtic must blow all of those sides out of the water to land the Robins’ skipper before Thursday’s 11pm deadline.
Rodgers is currently without Dedryck Boyata and Erik Sviatchenko at the back, with both defenders currently suffering from long-term injuries.
Five-time Denmark international Sviatchenko could also leave the club before the end of the window, with Danish outlet BT reporting that Lazio and Fiorentina are chasing the former FC Midtjylland defender.
Jozo Simunovic currently offers the only kind of first-team experience at the heart of Celtic’s defence, with midfielder Nir Bitton, teenager Kristoffer Ajer and left-back Kieran Tierney also being used at the back.
Celtic need a man mountain to come in and offer cover, quality but most importantly, leadership at centre-back in order to boost the club’s chances of a second successive treble and European football after Christmas.
Flint has shown in his four years with Bristol City that he can play to the best of his ability despite the pressure of being captain, becoming a fan favourite during his 202 appearances.
One of the best aerial abilities in the division, the powerhouse is more than capable with the ball at his feet and has also proven that he can find the back of the net with 29 goals for the Robins.
Celtic have benefited greatly by recruiting from the Championship in the likes of Moussa Dembele, Scott Sinclair and most recently the exciting Kundai Benyu under Rodgers, and that would continue with Flint.
With Birmingham having a £3.5million bid rejected, if Celtic can lure Flint to Parkhead for around £5million then they would be boosting their chances of improving on an almost-perfect 2016-17 campaign.