Transfer Latest – Celtic offered Brazilian defender to help soothe injury crisis

It’s no secret that Celtic are in the market for another central defender following a raft of major injuries to three of our four preferred centre-backs. With Gustaf Lagerbielke just through the door and Liam Scales not even part of the squad last season, it will be up to both men against St Johnstone today at Celtic Park to keep the barn door secure.

However, with key games on the horizon in the Scottish Premiership campaign, including theRangers, Motherwell, Livingston, Hibs and Hearts, as well as the UEFA Champions League group stages starting, it’s clear that a more experienced body is needed to help usher those aforementioned two through this tumultuous period.

Many have pondered who Rodgers might go for, with centre of defence not seen as a priority before his squad was ravaged by successive maladies.

Rodgers has mentioned he would like to bring in a seasoned professional as he feels it is a specialised position on the field of play.

Although, he has reiterated that the English Premier League might be a market that is too rich for our blood at present, that stance might have to change in the shorter term to aid our early season assault.

One name that has come to the surface is Lyanco of Southampton. The Brazilian has been at the Saints for a couple of years now after spending time in Serie A with Torino and Sao Paulo in his homeland beforehand. The Daily Record claim that the man who has previously pledged allegiance to Serbia has been offered to the Parkhead club in light of their injury woes.

Whether or not Celtic are going to bite on this one is another matter though, as they will no doubt have a list of names that they will be looking closely at to see which suits best. Of course, the killer is with any move that the Hoops are merely looking for a plaster over the boil solution whilst their other three centre-backs recover.

This in itself could prove to be tricky in convincing a player of the standard required to come for basically a few months. Then again, if the player in question is unwanted by their own club and wants minutes, we could reach a satisfactory outcome.

Paul Gillespie