Celtic are set for a chaotic end to the transfer window, with as many as five new signings on the agenda before the deadline. Manager Martin O'Neill has made clear he wants reinforcements while he can still get them, and although the club have until 5pm on Thursday to finalise their business, they will want to get it done sooner. That is because their squad for the Europa League must be submitted to UEFA by 11pm on Wednesday evening.
Midfield revamp
The engine room is undoubtedly the area where there will be the most activity. While O'Neill was keen to stress that Reo Hatate's absence from their squad against Falkirk was due to injury, it does not change the fact he is broadly expected to leave the club this summer. That would leave them significantly short of options, but plans are well down the road for a replacement – or three.
PSV midfielder Joel van den Berg looks the closest, with reports indicating the 19-year-old is on his way to Glasgow for a medical. The teenager has been a standout for the PSV youth teams but has not quite cracked the senior setup yet – something he will be hoping to do at Celtic barring any late hitches. There is also firm interest in Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis, who Sky Sports say the Hoops have now made a concrete offer for. The Serie A side are closing in on a move for Rolando Mandragora, which may open the door further for Gineitis' exit.
And then there is Crystal Palace midfielder Justin Devenny, who Celtic are believed to hold a firm interest in signing. The 22-year-old ticks a few boxes; while primarily a central midfield player, he can cover at left-back, and having come through the ranks at Kilmarnock, he would fill a homegrown slot on the European squad list. A fee of £6m has been touted for the FA Cup and Conference League winning playmaker.
The Hoops have also been loosely linked with midfielder Yves Bissouma, but it appears they are prioritising younger options for the time being. A free agent after leaving Tottenham, he is one who could be explored beyond the deadline should other targets fall through – similar to the Hoops' January move for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Depth between the sticks
It is no secret Celtic are scouring the market for a new keeper, having so far signed no replacement for Kasper Schmeichel. It would seem they are looking for an experienced shotstopper to compete with the younger Viljami Sinisalo, and veteran Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone has been heavily linked.
The 34-year-old has been told he is not in the plans at Molineux, with boss Cesar Peixoto opening the door for his exit. He said: "I have the same conversations and the same honesty with Sam I have with all the players. Before they are a player, they are a man, with families and kids. We have to respect the person. I have to talk with them honestly and tell them what is my decision or that of the club to build a strong team." Sometimes you have to take difficult decisions in order to build a better team or good group. All the time I am very clear, honest and direct with the players and all the people in the club. He (Johnstone) is still training with the team but won't be part of the team for the future.
Newcastle's Nick Pope is another thought to be on the agenda, while there have been links in Russia with Zenit's No.1 Denis Adamov.
Relief for Kieran Tierney
O'Neill revealed Kieran Tierney will need assessed after suffering an injury against Falkirk and, as if it was needed, that further underlined the need for depth at left-back. Chelsea youngster Landon Emenalo has been a longstanding target, although the recent lack of movement on that one is starting to speak volumes.
A return for Greg Taylor looks increasingly unlikely as his reinvention as a central midfielder for PAOK continues, while there have been murmurs of interest in Mitchel Bakker, who is out of the picture at Atalanta. There will be plenty of development over the next few days.
