ROBERTS, AJAR, ‘ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN’

He has signed Danish international centre-half Erik Sviatchenko in a £2million move and is closing in on a loan deal for Manchester City’s highly-rated teenage winger Patrick Roberts.

The Norwegian wanted new players to settle in over a six-month period before another anticipated tilt at the Champions League qualifiers in July.

However, when asked if there remained any prospect of a late transfer activity, the Hoops gaffer boss was non-committal.

He told Celtic TV: “Maybe, we’ll see. It’s so hard to know right now, but we’re working hard to find the right players and also see if it’s possible to do it.

“If everything clicks, we’ll bring more players, if not we will wait until the summer.

“It’s important that people see that it takes time, if you buy players from big clubs who have already achieved something in their careers, you can put more pressure on them.

“If you sign players who are young or who have played for smaller clubs, it takes time for them to adapt to playing for Celtic.

“We are seeing that in some of the squad now and if you are patient with them and get them to reflect on the situation they are in, then they come back again.

“Now we are seeing good performances from players who are still young and have a long way to go in their careers.

“That’s one of the most exciting things as a coach, working with players who have big potential and getting them to show that on the pitch.”

One player who could be back at Celtic in the next few days is the Norwegian youngster Kristoffer Ajer.

Ajer completed a training session with Celtic a few weeks ago and made a great impression on the coaching staff at Lennoxtown.

The IK Start 17 year old midfielder has revealed that he is still speaking to Celtic about a move in this window to the Scottish Champions

“It went well at Celtic and I certainly have good dialogue with the club,” Ajer stated.

“So we’ll see when, or if, there will be a transfer there.

“There are a few days left in the window and anything can happen.”

Celtic are also looking to offload a few players in the window, with one Dutchman in particular surplus to requirements.