Chris Sutton has indicated that Celtic may need to bring in a new centre-half with the £7.5 million duo Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke already ‘surplus to requirements’ under Brendan Rodgers.
One of the three center halves that Celtic acquired in the summer of 2023 has already bid farewell. Nat Phillips made just six games in the Scottish Premiership before his stint on loan from Liverpool was terminated.
It’s possible that Maik Nawrocki and Gustav Lagerbielke, two players that cost The Hoops £3 million and £4.5 million, respectively, will not be far behind in their quest to establish themselves in green and white.
Celtic icon not convinced by £7.5m duo
“The centre-half position is baffling. What is going on there?” Celtic legend Chris Sutton tells Sky Sports when asked about the club’s January transfer needs.
“Liam Scales has seized his chance, but Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke, who Celtic paid £7.5 million for, appear unnecessary.”
Although the Sweden international Lagerbielke will always remember his stoppage time, Champions League victory against Feyenoord, his debut cameo on New Year’s Day at St. Mirren, marking the first of his 15 Premier League appearances.
At least for Nawrocki, things appear to be getting better after Brendan Rodgers was impressed by his rather expensive transfer from Legia Warsaw during the Old Firm derby triumph against Rangers. Nawrocki took advantage of the opportunity to step in for an injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.
A turning point for Maik Nawrocki?
“I know what I have,” Rodgers said of Nawrocki recently. “He’s been unfortunate not to have played a bit earlier. He has picked up little niggles on his way back (from injury). He has trained for a few weeks and then picked up niggles when he’s not been involved.
But that demonstrates my complete faith in him. When he first came in, I felt he was good.
There were a few instances where he might have jumped in a little bit, but it is simply him regaining his timing. He is assertive and did well on it. He will play a significant role for us later in the season.
HITC is aware that although Celtic would be compelled to look for defensive reinforcements, especially at left-back given the uncertainty surrounding Alexandro Bernabei’s future, the Glasgow giants might also try to bolster their roster in a variety of other areas.
Celtic is considering the names of Oscar Zambrano, an Ecuadorian midfielder, and Lawrence Shankland, a striker for Hearts.
