Celtic are heading towards a January transfer window that feels important for more than one reason.
With Wilfried Nancy still settling into life at the club, attention is turning to how the squad might change and which players could arrive to support his ideas.
After frustration around the summer business, there is a sense that this window needs to be handled with greater care.
Nancy has already made it clear through selection and comments that the squad has gaps. Recent wins have helped calm things, but they have also exposed where Celtic are short.
Injuries, form, and lack of depth have forced players into heavy minutes, and that is not sustainable across the second half of the season.
A loan would make sense for all sides. Celtic would gain cover and competition, while Araujo would get minutes that are currently missing from his season.
Araujo’s background also fits Nancy’s profile. He is comfortable on the ball and used to systems that ask full-backs to play high. That matters under a manager who wants defenders involved rather than hidden. It would not be a headline signing, but it would address a clear need.
Up front, Milutin Osmajic has been mentioned as a possible option. The striker plays in the English Championship and has international experience with Montenegro.
Celtic’s lack of a reliable central forward has been clear for weeks, with wide players often forced to carry the scoring load.
Osmajic would offer something different. He is used to physical games and defensive pressure, which are common in Scotland.
His goal return this season is modest, but context matters. Celtic are not always looking for a high-profile name. They are often looking for a player who can handle the league and fit the system.
He is not a finished player, but that may be part of the appeal. Celtic have often looked to bring in players who can grow rather than arrive complete.
Ta Bi’s profile fits that pattern. He plays on the right, brings pace, and is still developing.
Under a manager like Nancy, who values movement and understanding, that kind of player can improve quickly if the fit is right.
What connects these names is not star power. It is profile. Celtic appear to be looking at players who suit a certain style rather than chasing reputation.
That is a shift supporters have been calling for, especially after a summer window that left many unconvinced.
There is also realism around what January allows. Permanent deals are harder to complete, and loans may again play a role.
That is not always popular, but it can work if the right players are chosen. Araujo on loan, for example, would bring immediate depth without long-term risk.
For Nancy, these decisions matter beyond this season. Working with players he trusts makes it easier to push his ideas forward.
Being forced to adapt around unsuitable options only slows progress.
The board also have a role to play. Backing the manager now would send a message that lessons have been learned.
Failing to act would leave the same problems in place and increase pressure on everyone involved.
Celtic’s season is still open. The league remains tight, and performances are improving in patches. January could help turn that into something more stable.
Names like Julian Araujo, Milutin Osmajic, and Jocelin Ta Bi may not excite everyone, but impact matters more than noise. Celtic need solutions, not slogans.
The coming weeks will show whether the club are ready to deliver them.
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