WHAT NOW FOR DEILA?
CHIEF executive Peter Lawwell has pledged to back Ronny Deila in the transfer market in a bid to equip Celtic for next season’s Champions League qualifiers. Here, Sportsmail scans the various areas of the Parkhead squad and considers where the priorities on their shopping list may lie.
GOALKEEPER
Craig Gordon (left) is Celtic’s undisputed No 1 and provides experience and assurance as the last line of defence. A new back-up to the Scotland man will likely be sought, however, as Lukasz Zaluska’s current deal expires this summer.
RIGHT-BACK
Celtic are as well served in this department as any. Sweden’s Mikael Lustig has endured a difficult campaign with injuries but should be fit for pre-season. Wales defender Adam Matthews is the other international option in the role, while both Efe Ambrose and young Englishman Darnell Fisher can deputise.
LEFT-BACK
A sparser area than the opposite flank and likely to attract attention. Emilio Izaguirre (right) is the regular selection but has had the odd wobble in recent times. Matthews can operate on the left, as has Charlie Mulgrew in the past, but Deila may well seek a fresh face to compete with Honduran international Izaguirre.
CENTRE-BACK
The prime position of concern. Jason Denayer will return to Manchester City for pre-season and there seems a diminishing chance of him being back for a second loan spell. Then there is the Virgil van Dijk situation. The Dutchman will attract interest from Southampton and Sunderland, among others, this summer. With two years left on his contract, this would seem the prime point for a sale. It remains to be seen whether a sufficient bid will materialise, while Celtic could also repel any offers until their Champions League fate has become clear. Whatever happens, new blood is needed. Departing Hearts captain Danny Wilson (above) and Mitchell Dijks of Willem II are among the potential targets.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD
Scott Brown and Nir Bitton have formed an impressive partnership in recent months, while Mulgrew is expected to return to action before the season ends. With Stefan Johansen and Stuart Armstrong also able to drop back into that department, Celtic have alternatives. However, a move for Dundee United’s John Souttar could provide further depth.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD
The February raid on Tannadice for Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven brought extra verve to the three positions behind the striker in Deila’s favoured set-up — adding to the quality already present in Johansen, Kris Commons, James Forrest and Anthony Stokes. Loan players Aleksandar Tonev and Wakaso Mubarak will surely exit, alongside forgotten man Derk Boerrigter, but perhaps only a further sale would necessitate an arrival.
STRIKER
Leigh Griffths has been in excellent form since the turn of the year and Deila has already stated he would have no fears about fielding him in Europe. Competition and options are required, though, with Dundee United’s Nadir Ciftci a player who has long interested Celtic. The clamour for John Guidetti to remain beyond his loan stint has dramatically declined since his late autumn high, with Feyenoord and Sporting Lisbon now on the trail of the Swede. Stefan Scepovic (left) has shown little since his arrival from Sporting Gijon last
year and may be deemed surplus to requirements.