Davie Provan has heaped heavy criticism on Celtic for not signing a central defender during the summer transfer window and claimed that it was a “priority position”.
The SPL champions were close to securing the signature of South African centre-back Rivaldo Coetzee in the summer but he was unable to pass a medical and the move failed to materialise.
The Hoops have also seen a number of central defenders miss the start of the season due to long-term injuries including Dedryck Boyata and Erik Sviatchenko.
Celtic’s lack of options at the back has not hindered their success in the league as they currently boast the best defensive record so far, having only conceded a total of three goals in seven matches.
However, Brendan Rodgers’ men suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the opening fixture of the Champions League campaign, losing 5-0 at Celtic Park.
Writing in his column for the Scottish Sun, Provan is convinced that Celtic could have avoided such an emphatic loss if they had focused on snapping up a defender in the summer.
“With Mikael Lustig forced to play centrally against PSG, young Ralston was thrown under a bus,” he wrote.
“Even allowing for his potential, he’s nowhere near ready for the Neymars of this world.
“That Brendan couldn’t find a centre-half in the transfer window was surprising, it was a priority position.
“With more than enough money to buy a proper centre-back, someone has slipped up badly.
“We can narrow that down to either Peter Lawwell failing to get a deal over the line, or Brendan not identifying the right player. Either way, it’s left Celtic short at the back.
“When the deal for South Africa international Rivaldo Coetzee collapsed over a failed medical, Celtic should have had a Plan B.
“There are plenty experienced defenders warming the bench in England who’d love a taste of Champions League football, even on a loan deal.”
OPINION
Provan is spot on when he mentions that the Hoops should have tried to lure a number of defenders playing in the English Premier League to Celtic Park this summer. There are players plying their trade in England who would improve the SPL champions and potentially give them a helping hand in competing in their Champions League group. However, Rodgers still has the opportunity add to his squad if necessary during the January transfer window but they could be out of the elite European club competition by then. Although adding more defensive options would be beneficial, it can be argued that they are cruising in the league at the moment and their squad is currently good enough to replicate last season’s memorable treble.