CELTIC could move for a winger and a central defender today before the transfer window slams shut. With Lewis Morgan and Scotty Sinclair leaving the club, the latest injury blow at Perth in midweek appears to leave Celtic short in the wide areas and that may need to be addressed today.
And with Elhamed and Bitton out injured and Jozo Simunovic struggling with the match schedule after coming back from his long term injury, it looks like another central defender is required. Surely Filip Benkovic fits the bill perfectly?
Last weekend Neil Lennon talked up a move for the Leicester City defender who is enduring a frustrating season under Brendan Rodgers. There is interest in him from Bristol City, Derby County and Middlesbrough but a move back to Glasgow – with a chance to make it permanent – might suit all parties.
Neil Lennon’s comments at yesterday Media Conference on Mikey Johnston’s latest injury would seem to indicate that his season is over.
“It will be long term. It was a bad twist. He says there was contact but it doesn’t look like there was contact.
“It looks like he has twisted the knee and there is a bit of swelling there and ligament damage.”
The Celtic manager was none too pleased with Johnston who tried to play on with the injury just as Lennon was making his third and final substitution of the night at McDiarmid Park.
Trying to run off the knock was hardly the clever thing to do and the manager’s two word message to the player would have certainly made an impact.
“It might have compounded the problem. It was annoying for me because we were making a substitution and he said he was alright to carry on.
“But quite clearly after a couple of minutes that wasn’t the case. We had already made the substitution. So it was a learning experience.”
The Celtic manager also gave an update on the interest in a few of the Development squad players who have been the subject of interest from down south for loan deals. On Luca Connell, who is attracting interest from both Middlesbrough and Barnsley, Lenny had this to say about a possible loan deal going through today:
“It might be good for him to get out and get some game time. He had a thigh injury which kept him out for a couple of months and now he is playing very well in the development team.”
One player who won’t be going out on loan is Karamoko Dembele, who has been the subject of a loan enquiry form Gillingham – nice try! “They made an enquiry about it and it was turned down,” Lenny said.
“I think this is the best place for him. We know of his capabilities, we know of his talent. We are very excited about him but he is just going to turn 17 soon.
“We have to protect him and we have a duty of care with him in terms of his development but we want it here.”
Lennon also confirmed that he hopes to use Dembele again later this season, perhaps after the title has been won! More throughout the day…
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