Former Celtic defender Mark Wilson has said that additions at centre-back, left-back, right-back and up front will be key if the Hoops are to strengthen properly this summer.
It could be a busy summer for Neil Lennon’s side, with Mikael Lustig [The Scottish Sun] and Odsonne Edouard [Express] just two of the side’s players reportedly receiving interest from elsewhere.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Wilson – who appeared for the Bhoys between 2006 and 2012 – added that Lennon must be fully backed in the transfer market if he is to add to his squad.
“It’s going to take a chunk of cash. [Lennon] needs centre halves, a striker, a right back, cover at left back,” the 35-year-old said. “Every good squad has a cycle. You can’t keep winning without freshening up and Neil has proven in the past he can find a quality player or two.
“You can trust him with a transfer kitty, and with nine and maybe 10 coming up, Peter has to be aware of what the fans will expect.
“Rangers have progressed over the last year. They made their intentions clear even at Christmas by shelling out big wages for the likes of Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis, so you have to wonder what they’ll do in the summer.
“I don’t think Celtic need to go overboard but they do need to invest.”
OPINION
It will certainly be a very busy summer for Neil Lennon and Celtic. There is a lot of work to be done, and the positions that Wilson has identified are definitely ones that the manager needs to take a serious look at. Left-back Kieran Tierney had a torrid time with injuries last season and he looks like he could be unreliable with his fitness. At right-back, Lustig is out of contract at the end of this month and there have been no suggestions whatsoever that the 32-year-old could be offered an extension. Centre-back is also another key area, while up front, Edouard has been linked with a move away from Parkhead for some time now. However, if Celtic can get Leigh Griffiths – who has had six months out due to special leave – back in the team and banging in goals as he has done over the past three seasons, then the need to bring in a new attacker could wane. Either way, Celtic cannot just stand idly by and they must dip into the transfer market sooner or later.