OPINION
Celtic fans will be punching the air with joy after Brendan Rodgers promised today more signings are on their way this month.
The manager made it clear that he expects the Scottish champions to add more players to his title-chasing squad after announcing three new arrivals already in January, which is worth taking into account when looking at online betting offers for the Scottish Premier League.
Oliver Burke and Timothy Weah have arrived on loan deals for the rest of the season, while Celtic have signed Ivory Coast striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo on a four-year deal from Slovakian side Dunajska Streda.
They could merely be the warm-ups to the main acts, if Rodgers’ claim from the club’s winter training camp in Dubai comes to fruition.
“We’ll look to do more business,” Rodgers told Sky Sports News. “I think that’s important for us. January is an important window in Scotland, but the players have to be available. The club have always worked to a certain model and a certain way, and that has brought the club success and they will continue to work that way.
“That has always been about bringing in young, talented players, improving them and then selling them on. Like I say, my job is to ensure we look to get the best possible players in that market that we can.”
CELTIC
"I think we'll look to do more business. I think that's important for us"
Brendan Rodgers says he expects @CelticFC to add more players to his squad after securing Burke, Weah & Bayo so far this January-https://t.co/E7Si1iEgjn https://t.co/snejQksBmu
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 9, 2019
The Hoops faithful will be pleased their club have responded to Rangers signing Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis, two proven talents who can make a big impact in the SPL, with a triple swoop of their own.
But they will be encouraged that Rodgers and the Hoops hierarchy accept more must be done this month to give the manager a squad capable of securing an eighth consecutive title and maintaining domestic dominance.
The midfield appears strong enough, and the goalkeeper position is fine for this campaign, but there are glaring weaknesses in defence.
At least one centre-back, and possibly two, are needed, as well as a right-back to take over from Mikael Lustig, who is on his last legs and out of contract at the end of the season.
Dedryck Boyata and Filip Benkovic have emerged as the first choice central defensive partnership, but both could be gone by the end of the month, given their contract situations.
Celtic have much to do. At least, for now, supporters will be thrilled there is the intention to do it.