Report: Celtic already working towards defensive midfielder signing in January
Celtic are reportedly preparing to renew their search for a ball-winning midfielder when the transfer window reopens in January, with the need for greater physicality in the middle of the park again coming into focus. Celtic failed in their summer attempted to sign Gvidas Gineitis from Serie A side Torino, who was clearly the top target for Martin O’Neill’s side.
Sunday’s 3-0 Premier Sports Cup defeat at Ibrox provided a particularly stark illustration of the issue. Rangers imposed themselves physically and controlled significant periods of the quarter-final, preventing Celtic from establishing their usual rhythm through midfield.
However, the position – as per Celts Are Here – was already understood to be on Celtic’s recruitment agenda before the derby setback.
The club explored a potential deal for a midfielder fitting that profile during the summer window, only for the move to stall after the financial demands involved increased beyond what Celtic were prepared to sanction.
O’Neill subsequently acknowledged Rangers’ physical superiority at Ibrox, further highlighting an area of the squad which could benefit from reinforcement. We may see Oliver Sorensen come into the team over the next week, the Dane has played deeper in the past operating as a double pivot. Another one that came in to replace Arne Engels was Dutch youngster Joel van den Berg, who is yet to feature in the Hoops.
Callum McGregor, Mika Baur, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Benjamin Nygren remain among O’Neill’s central options, but Celtic currently lack a natural midfield enforcer capable of consistently breaking up opposition attacks and providing greater physical presence.
Recruitment work is understood to be continuing ahead of January as Celtic assess potential targets capable of addressing that imbalance and adding another dimension to O’Neill’s midfield. It feels as if identifying talent isn’t the issue but instead getting deals done to bring the players to Paradise.
