Celtic 'must do everything possible' to make transfer move for key player that could cost 'hefty' fee

Celtic have been urged to make a January move for a key player in the upcoming window - but it could come at a costly price.

The Hoops finally found their shooting boots under new head coach Wilfried Nancy to win 3-1 against 10-man Aberdeen. Again, however, several chances were missed as top senior striker Kelechi Iheanacho missed out with injury following a muscle problem picked up in a Premier Sports Cup final loss versus St Mirren.

It’s left Johnny Kenny up front for matches with Dundee United and Aberdeen but Celtic hero Bobby Petta reckons his former side have to splash big on a forward in January. Amid early criticisms of Nancy’s three at the back system, the former winger feels keeping things simple can also keep the Hoops on a winning track

Where will Celtic look to sign in January transfer window?

Petta told the Sunday Post: "Kelechi Iheanacho is the best striker at the club. We could all see the difference he made to the team when he was on the field in the cup final last weekend. They missed him when he had to go off injured. The focal point was lost. It's a pity he hasn't been available too often due to injury.

“Johnny Kenny has made his contribution in the past few weeks and he needs to get his confidence up and running again. He is raw, but he has plenty of energy and wants to succeed. He needs time to be spent on him to he coached to improve his overall game. In the transfer window, I'd imagine the manager will want a striker with clever movement who can hold the ball up.

“And, of course, be able to put the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis. Such players are not easy to find and rarely come with anything other than a hefty transfer fee. This is a position in the team that can't be ignored. Celtic must do everything possible to get a quality striker in.

Bobby Petta on Celtic

“Players need to know what their roles are within any system, whether it be a back three or a back four or back five. Too many times already they have looked all over the place and disorganised under Wilfried's set-up. That shouldn't be the case and it should he sorted out quickly without too much fuss.

“When I played, I played in a few different roles within different formations. I played as a wingback for Martin O'Neill in a 3-5-2 formation. I wasn't used to it but I got on with it. I was full of energy and desire - the whole team was - and we wanted to do well. We knew what our roles were and how to function to get victories. There was no need to complicate things.

“The messages from Martin and his staff were short and to the point. When you start to give out too much information then things can get lost and you lose sight of the basics. That may well be what is happening just now in the Celtic team.”