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Where do Celtic stand a month out from season start?

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In goal, Celtic have had an almost like-for-like change, with long-time back-up Scott Bain heading to promoted Falkirk in search of first-team starts and the younger Ross Doohan, who had been in a similar position with Aberdeen, returning to the Glasgow club to effectively be a number three behind Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo.

In central defence, Maik Nawrocki has joined German second-tier side Hannover 96 on loan with an option to buy while Hayato Inamura has been bought from J-League relegation candidates Albirex Niigata.

However, although the Polish 24-year-old made all of five appearances last season, it appears that the Japanese player, one year younger, will not be a straight replacement considering Rodgers is thinking of sending him straight out on loan.

It is at left-back, though, where the Celtic face a more taxing transfer dilemma.

The return of Kieran Tierney at the end of his Arsenal contract was generally welcomed as a marquee signing that will strengthen the starting XI.

However, with fellow Scotland defender Greg Taylor rejecting a new deal and joining PAOK in Greece and experienced back-up Jeffrey Schlupp returning to Crystal Palace at the end of his loan, it leaves Celtic with “a tough sell” for any potential replacement, according to former Falkirk striker Rory Loy.

“If you are going to go out and get a really established left-back who’s coming in, the first thing you do, you look at their squad and you see Kieran Tierney there,” he told BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound.

“It is a hard thing to say to a left-back that you’re coming in as second choice.”

Loy believes an older player, like Schlupp, or young player happy to “come in for a few games” may be the markets Celtic search for a Taylor replacement.

Former Scotland midfielder Leanne Crichton, though, believes that Tierney’s history of injuries – “he rarely finishes games” he does play – mean any back-up “will play a considerable amount of time”.


BBC News

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