OPINION
It’s too early and perhaps too strong to say that Celtic are facing a crisis already this season, but things aren’t going exactly to plan for Brendan Rodgers.
A quiet summer led to grumbling from the fans and that seems prescient now as Celtic seem in dire need of at least a new centre-back before the summer transfer window shuts next week.
Dedryck Boyata is probably on his way out after dropping a bomb on the team just before their Champions League exit.
And the defence that Rodgers is operating with isn’t showering itself in glory – they let what could be a crucial goal in last night in their Europa League play-off against Suduva.
Luckily there’s a perfect player ready to slot in and do a job at Celtic.
Football Insider reported that Celtic are one of three teams chasing Joe Worrall at Nottingham Forest.
Aston Villa and bitter rivals Ranges are the other two – and Steven Gerrard is currently leading the chase having already contacted Forest about a loan move.
He’s admitted that he thinks Worrall is a fantastic player amid the reported interest.
Celtic are reportedly readying a bid of their own and Rodgers must convince Peter Lawwell to pull out all the stops and ensure that they hijack Rangers’ move.
At this stage of the season, with momentum worryingly with Rangers, Celtic can’t afford to go for the same target and miss out.
At 21 years of age, Worrall’s a player with a huge future in front of him. He’s a current England Under-21 international and he’s been tipped to go on to represent the senior side for his country.
However, despite reportedly rejecting a £10million bid for him in January, he’s not part of Nottingham Forest’s plans at the moment.
Aitor Karanka has told him a loan move is probably the best option for him and where better to go than Celtic? Worrall could do a great job on a huge stage, and return to Forest ready to take the first-team spot that is surely his in the near future.
It’s a high-stakes move though. Spending time with him as their number one target only to lose him to Rangers could be a body blow that causes Celtic serious damage.