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Celtic reveal four-man shortlist for January transfer window as O'Neill looks to save season
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Celtic have begun planning for the January transfer window in order to back Martin O’Neill and ensure they defend their Scottish Premiership title after tense run of form.
Prior to the 7-1 win over Hearts on the weekend, Celtic had lost four of their previous five matches in all competitions, leading to question marks over O’Neill’s future.
O’Neill admitted he had to reassess whether he was the right man for the job but, after a soul-searching international break, the 74-year-old and Celtic are set to continue their relationship and seek to add more quality during the winter.
TEAMtalk report that four players have been identified including Blackburn duo Balazs Toth and Ryoya Morishita, who were both targets in the summer, as well as Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis and Liverpool youngster Luke Chambers.
Toth would perhaps be the most curious signing of the quartet and Celtic have belief they can sign the 29-year-old ahead of his contract expiring next summer, with O’Neill still believed to be unconvinced by current number one Viljami Sinisalo.
Celtic also ‘intend’ to return with an approach for Gineitis after being reluctant to meet Torino’s asking price of around €15 million in the summer, with the Lithuanian understood to be open to a move after being considered to replace Arne Engels previously.
Celtic look towards quad signing after polarising start to the season
Having signed ten players during the summer, Celtic currently sit four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, although they suffered defeats in both of their Europa League fixtures, with the Celta Vigo to come next on Thursday.
Club record signing Kasper Hogh has endured a barren run of 15 matches for club and country without a goal and Celtic could look to bring in a midfielder to support the striker, with Morishita being considered alongside Gineitis.
Morishita was also a target in the summer in talks for Reo Hatate, but a deal failed to progress, however the 29-year-old’s form has prompted Celtic to reconsider a bid, even with Blackburn being reluctant to sell a key player.
Left-back squad depth is also being considered, leading to interest in Chambers, who is out of contract with Liverpool next summer and expected to leave in January, either on loan or permanently.
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