It looks like Wilfried Nancy is religiously set on playing 3-4-3.
Celtic's recruitment model however has been to buy players to fit into a 4-3-3 system, so this means there is a shortage of centre-backs.
Kieran Tierney is looking like the biggest beneficiary of this system, as he is tailor-made for this system & could be absolutely outstanding at left centre-back.
Auston Trusty also looks outstanding in the middle 3 of this system.
That does however leave us needing a top class right centre back, as well as back up for Trusty & Tierney who can be injury prone.
Ideally, we need 2 new centre backs in January.
We all know that Celtic will not pay top money for a centre back, unless they have qualified for the Champions League.
So here are 10 international centre backs under the age of 25 Celtic could sign, all of whom would be available for less than £3.5m.
Liam Morrison, 22, Contract expiring
This would be my number 1 target. Former Celtic youth player, QPR centre-back, established at Championship level, contract expiring at the end of the year, very solid centre-back. Might cause controversy as he took the money Bayern Munich threw at him as a young player, but let's not forget Gerard Pique did the same thing to Barcelona CF, so a few good performances in big games & this would be forgotten. A deal Celtic should 100% be looking into.
Martin Georgiev, 20, £1.25m
This would be my second choice targe. Bulgarian centre back with 3 caps, Slavia Sofia centre back, with Barcelona as a youth so very well-schooled & able to pass the ball out from the back as well as being an absolutely solid centre back unit. Would be a very good signing.
Manzur Okwaro, 19, £100k
Kenyan centre-back, 10 caps already, available for very cheap price from Nairobi United. Played 90 minutes for Kenya in defensive midfield in 2 victories vs DR Congo & Morocco. Could very well be the next Victor Wanyama at centre-back. Celtic should be all over this. 100% worth taking a gamble on.
Atanas Chernev, 23, £650k
Bulgarian centre back, 1.95m in height so is a giant, plays in the Portuguese Premier League for Estrela, towering centre back would be an excellent signing.
Aleksandr Narimanidze, 20, £400k
At only 20 years old has established MSK Zilina centre-back mainstay, and recently called up to Georgia squad.
Filip Mielke, 20, £400k
Number 1 centre back for the Slovakian u21 team, and according to SofaScore already one of the best centre backs in the Slovakian League.
Collins Sichenje, 21, £300k
Centre back, 8 caps for Kenya, current centre back for Vojvodina in the Serbian League. Looks a solid centre back. Excellent option if available for the right price.
Calal Huseyunov, 22, £650k
Powerhouse centre-back who plays for Arda in Bulgarian League, established Azerbaijan international with 8 caps already, Looks to be a solid defender & getting better all the time.
Oscar Zambrano, 20, £2m
Maribor centre-back, aged 20 - recently called up to the Ecuador squad. League champion in Ecuador, and considered to be the best centre back in the Slovenian League. Has failed a doping ban - might need to check this was for performance enhancers, and if so, quite frankly who cares...
Bleon Kurtulus, 18, £1m
Halmstad centre back, only 18 but already established Swedish U21 defender & over 40 appearances in the Swedish League. Already ranked as Halmstad's 3rd best player at only 18. Has the Willie Miller look about him - would be a shrewd signing.
Warning: This is not professional legal advice. This is not professional legal education advice. This is an opinion on a legal matter believed to be of public importance. Please obtain professional guidance before embarking on any legal course of action. This is just an interpretation of a Judgment by persons of legal insight & varying levels of legal specialism, experience & expertise. Please read the Judgment yourself and form your own interpretation of it with professional assistance.