Celtic’s January transfer plans are beginning to take clearer shape as the window moves into a crucial phase.
Journalist Stephen McGowan has now provided a clearer picture of Celtic’s priorities this month. His reporting outlines specific positions the club are actively targeting, which helps cut through the noise created by a growing list of transfer links.
The Hoops have already made one move by securing Bournemouth right-back Julian Araujo on loan. Beyond that deal, the focus appears to be on attacking areas rather than central midfield, despite recent speculation suggesting otherwise.
Links to players such as Niko Sigur, Kyogo Furuhashi, Callum Wilson, Jocelyn Ta Bi, and Ignacio “Nacho” Laquintana have all surfaced in recent days. However, McGowan’s report makes it clear that not every rumoured target aligns with Celtic’s actual transfer strategy.
He said: (The Herald), “The Scottish champions have secured Bournemouth right back Julian Araujo on loan and are also working on a £2million deal for Ivorian right winger Jocelyn Ta Bi.
“Seen as a player for the future, Ta Bi is likely to be joined by another right sided attacker and two strikers before the window shuts.”
McGowan’s information suggests that Celtic are planning to add four players before the deadline. Two of those additions are expected to operate on the right wing, while the other two will be strikers brought in to address clear issues in the final third.
This focus on wide attacking options reflects the lack of depth Celtic currently have in those areas. Injuries and inconsistent form have left the squad short of natural width, which has limited attacking variety during key matches.
The pursuit of Jocelin Ta Bi fits into that thinking, with the Ivorian winger viewed as a longer-term project rather than an immediate solution. The expectation that another right-sided attacker will arrive alongside him underlines how seriously Celtic view that position.
More notable, however, is the emphasis on signing two strikers in the same window. That signals an acceptance within the club that the current options are not sufficient to sustain a title challenge across the second half of the season.
Kyogo Furuhashi has been heavily linked with a loan return, while free agent Callum Wilson has also been discussed as a possible short-term fix. Both would offer experience and familiarity, albeit in very different ways.
At the same time, Ignacio “Nacho” Laquintana has emerged as another right-wing option under consideration. His profile points to a different kind of wide attacking threat, one that would add variety rather than overlap with the players Celtic already have.
What stands out most from McGowan’s report is what is not mentioned. Despite strong links to Niko Sigur, a midfielder capable of playing in several roles, central midfield does not appear to be a current priority for Celtic this January.
That makes Sigur an outlier among the recent rumours. While he remains a player of interest and one admired by recruitment staff, his position does not align with the four key targets McGowan outlines.
This may reflect confidence in the midfield options already available, or a belief that other areas present more immediate problems. It could also suggest that any midfield business is being viewed as optional rather than essential.
For Martin O’Neill, the clarity of these priorities matters. With limited time and pressure to deliver results quickly, the focus is on players who can either make an impact straight away or add depth where it has been badly needed.
The emphasis on strikers in particular ties in with O’Neill’s past success when backed with reliable goal scorers. His Celtic sides were often built around forwards who could decide games even when performances were uneven.
As the window progresses, the expectation is that Celtic will move quickly once deals are lined up. The club are aware that delays could prove costly, especially with crucial league fixtures approaching.
Stephen McGowan’s report cuts through speculation and offers a grounded view of Celtic’s January thinking. Two right wingers and two strikers are the clear focus, while midfield additions appear to be on the back burner for now.
Whether that approach proves enough will only become clear in the weeks ahead. For the moment, it offers supporters a clearer sense of where the club believe the season will be won or lost.
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