NEIL LENNON has identified two positions where Celtic urgently need strengthening in the January Sales.
The former Hoops boss believes Brendan Rodgers will be looking for a defensive-minded midfielder to take some of the burden off skipper Callum McGregor.
And Lennon, who had two stints as the man in charge at Parkhead, insists back-up frontman Oh Hyeon-gyu is not the immediate answer to share the goalscoring duties with Kyogo Furuhashi.
The South Korean, 22, who has just been named alongside winger Yang Hyun-jun in his nation’s Asian Cup squad, has started a couple of games ahead of the Japanese international and netted doubles in the 6-0 win over Aberdeen and the 4-1 triumph over Hibs in Glasgow, but the ex-gaffer reckons he still has some work to do to improve his skills.
NO WAY THROUGH…Oh Hyeon-gyu is out of luck as Kilmarnock keeper Will Dennis swoops to save in Celtic’s 2-1 setback at Rugby Park earlier this month.
Lennon said: “The main concern for me when it comes to where Celtic can still strengthen is the lack of height and physicality sometimes, particularly against higher quality opposition.
“Callum McGregor is having to play in a six role and I think he’s far better in the eight.
“So, I would want a new number six to come in, a ball-winner, a new, strong presence in midfield.
“And then another striker to supplement Kyogo.”
The Northern Irishman, speaking to Ladbrokes Fanzone, added: “Oh is still a work in progress.
“He’s got really good attributes and he’ll come good in years to come. But for the here and now, I would just be looking to strengthen those two central areas, in midfield and up front.
“They’ve got plenty of wingers and also plenty of cover at centre-half when everyone’s fit.
“But I’d like to see a bit more physicality in the team, particularly in that number six area.”
