OPINION
Celtic are running out of time before the summer transfer window slams shut and they are still yet to strengthen their options at right-back.
Mikael Lustig has been hopeless in his performances for the Hoops this season and was eventually axed and replaced by Cristian Gamboa in the win at Partick Thistle on Saturday.
While Gamboa impressed, he is by no means a solid option at right-back and Brendan Rodgers needs someone with a bit more height and defensive nous in order to help keep at bay some of the better teams in Scotland, and in Europe.
That is why the Bhoys must join the race to sign Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward before the end of the month.
According to Sun journalist Alan Nixon, English Championship clubs West Brom and Middlesbrough are chasing down the signature of the 28-year-old right-back on loan.
Ward has over 160 Premier League appearances to his name but is yet to feature for Palace this season and there could be a chance that Roy Hodgson would send him out on loan.
That is where Celtic should come in and look to blow West Brom and Boro out of the water to sign the right-back, who is a clear improvement on Lustig, who should really be offloaded, and offers a different kind of option to Gamboa.
With 6ft 1 tall (transfermarkt) Ward on board, the Hoops will have a significant improvement to their defence and can look forward to defending their domestic titles yet again with ease.