Celtic have set aside cash to sign a new central midfielder in January, sources have told Football Insider. Ange Postecoglou has made it clear behind the scenes he wants to strengthen the squad in the new year and the Hoops hierarchy are ready to back their manager. The Glasgow giants are prioritising the capture of a proven central midfielder capable of shielding the defence and have set aside “significant” cash from the budget to get a deal done. The January window is regarded by Celtic as an opportune time to beef up the squad and prepare for the second half of the campaign.

As quoted by the Scotsman (19 October), the Celts boss said that the side are “well underway” with their planning for January. The Australian added that early business in last year’s winter window was “really beneficial” and he is hopeful they can act in the same way this year. In January 2022, Celtic signed Daizen Maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley.

Three of those play in midfield but none are specialists in the holding midfield position of protecting the defence. Postecoglu can call upon other midfielders including James McCarthy and Oliver Abildgaard but neither are used much by him, and they are usually on the substitute’s bench when available. In the absence through a long-term injury of skipper Callum McGregor, the regular midfield three have been Hatate, O’Riley and Aaron Mooy

The club know vwey well that they would need to engage in some active transfer businesses jn the January winter transfer window and there are reports currently making the rounds that they would be doing so. The manager has stated clearly that there is need to bolster the squad and it looks like he would be getting what he wishes for.