Rodgers on lookout for playmaker

CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers has set his sights on securing a playmaker in the January transfer window. Chelsea are poised to send Belgian Charly Musonda out on loan for the remainder of the season. And Rodgers has thrown Celtic’s hat into the ring, with Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest also in the hunt for the 21-year-old. A creative No 10 is the signing priority, but reports in Germany have also linked Celtic with a move for Schalke striker Franco Di Santo as the Scottish champions prepared for any late moves for Moussa Dembele. Brighton are prepared to meet Celtic’s terms for Dembele but can’t persuade the France Under-21 international to make the move. Insisting his focus is on beefing up rather than weakening his squad after signing German defender Marvin Compper and St Mirren winger Lewis Morgan, Rodgers said: ‘My idea for this month is to strengthen the squad so I haven’t thought of losing anyone. ‘If something came in that was difficult for the club to refuse and if the player wants to go then that’s another point. ‘I’d never want a player at Celtic if he didn’t want to be there. ‘Most importantly I would need the right replacement to come in.’ Celtic flew home from Dubai on Saturday after a week of warm weather training. Resuming with a Scottish Cup home tie against Championship relegation strugglers Brechin City, Rodgers expects to see the benefits of the winter break. ‘We have virtually been playing, recover, playing, recover. And you lose that real valuable coaching time. ‘I think the second part of the season gives us more than that, starting this week. I still feel that in all aspects of our game we can improve and be better. ‘That starts from defensively. That’s a key focus on us this week in relation to how we work and the intensity in which we play. ‘That side is important for us and we are looking to create and grow the players individually and make them better. Hopefully, that brings consistency, which is important for us to kick on in the second part of the season.’ Beaten 4-0 by Hearts in December, the champions also dropped points to Motherwell, Hibs and Rangers. Claiming his team now play with a target on their back after setting such high standards last season, Rodgers insists they can cope with the demands and expectation. ‘When you work for Celtic or play for Celtic then the pressure is a privilege,’ he added. ‘It’s a privilege and lets you know you’re at a big club. ‘There’s no doubt this year the target on the backs of the players has been a bigger target for most teams. ‘The Hearts game happened and that was it. The Rangers game, it’s not a crime to draw 0-0. I’ve seen many games in the past that Celtic may have lost that 1-0. ‘There was no doubt if we score at least one in the first half we’ll probably go on to win the game because it would open up and be better for us. In the second half they had some chances and I didn’t think we were great, but it’s not the end of the earth. ‘We drew 0-0 and I said to the players after the game: “What is so important is that if you cannot win then make sure you don’t lose.” ‘Okay, we didn’t win the game but we are still in a great position in the league with bits to improve on.’