Transfer activity will help Celtic pick up the pieces from Linz collapse

A new centre-back would be ideal and two fullbacks are needed but it’s glaringly obvious that Celtic’s current weakness lies in midfield…

In the wake of our thumping demoralising defeat in Linz, questions are rightly being asked of the capabilities of our playing squad.

Losing five goals will naturally see fingers pointed at our defence, and although our back four didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory, they are far from the root cause of our woes at this level, and domestically to an extent.

A new centre back, and a right back would be ideal, especially when our depth was exposed in the end with a defensive line up consisting of Tony Ralston, Liam Scales, and Dane Murray, which is far from good enough when it comes to competing at the top level of football.

But it’s in the middle of the park that our problems lie, something that has been evident for a considerable period of time. And rather than take action to improve things in the centre of the park, Celtic actually sold Arne Engels and hoped for the best.

It’s our Achilles heel. It’s an area we are very vulnerable, and our opponents will continue to exploit it the longer we fail to fix it.

At least two of the goals shipped in Linz were caused by a slack ball in the middle of the park, or a midfielder being disposed or easily brushed off the ball. Even in the first leg at Celtic Park, we gifted the Austrian Champions numerous chances, and again it was down to the massive gaping hole that exists in the centre of our midfield.

This celtic side is crying out for a midfield enforcer of sorts. Someone who can take the game by the scruff of the neck, and shore up the massive gap that exists in our midfield.

We require someone who not only possesses a bit of dig or physical presence, but someone who will competently protect our backline, and is comfortable on the ball.

All our current midfielders are too similar, and we need someone to offers us the right balance to complement the flair of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Luke McCowan, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Miko Baur, and Benjamin Nygren.

Players such as Gvidas Gineitis, and Niko Sigur have been linked, and would be ideal for the role, but elimination from the Champions League is rendering a move for either extremely unlikely.

We can’t afford to neglect this area, as it will continue to be a weak link in our side, and could cost us massively if we don’t sort it in this current window.

Remember Reo Hatate is almost certain to leave and the sooner that happens the better. Luke McCowan has had his confidence shattered after his worst ever performance in a Celtic jersey, The skipper and the OX are ageing and Benjamin Nygren’s feel good factor went out the window with that slack pass that gifted LASK a way back into the game.

He should be having nightmares about that slack pass for weeks.