Brendan Rodgers spoke to Sky Sports Scotland after he watched his Celtic side make it two wins from two up at Pittodrie and revealed he is expecting movement on an incoming transfer by next week. One would imagine, of course, that the player in question would be Gustaf Lagerbielke, who is widely fancied to replace fellow Swede Carl Starfelt at Paradise.
Starfelt decided to up sticks and flit to La Liga with Celta Vigo so that he could be closer to his family who all stay a matter of hours away in the Portuguese city of Lisbon. It has left a considerable void in the centre of the Hoops defence and was noticed yesterday when Cameron Carter-Vickers was had to be removed from the action due to a precautionary measure with his hamstring.
Aberdeen v Celtic – cinch Premiership – Pittodrie Stadium Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers in the sideline during the cinch Premiership match at the Pittodrie Sunday August 13, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh
Stephen Welsh came back into the fold but it showed the lack of quality options in the central defensive region for the Bhoys at present in the aftermath of Carl’s departure. Behind Welsh is the likes of Liam Scales – who is hotly tipped to leave Parkhead this transfer window on loan or permanent basis – and the unfancied Yuki Kobayashi who has not had his troubles to seek in a Celtic jersey of late.
When asked by Luke Shanley of Sky Sports Scotland about whether a Starfelt replacement was in the works, the Irishman replied: “Very close. I’m pretty sure next week we’ll get that done.” It has since emerged that Lagerbeilke should arrive in Glasgow this week to complete a medical and put pen-to-paper on a deal worth around £3 million to Elfsborg.
Paul Gillespie
Meanwhile, check out Matt Corr speaking to the one and only Martin O’Neill on The Celtic Star Podcast…
