The blockbuster Celtic XI after Jota, Tierney and new striker transfers as Brendan Rodgers gears up for era 3.0
It may only be January of his second season back but it's looking like another new Celtic era is dawning for Brendan Rodgers.
It had been a quiet window to this point but it's exploded into life over the last few days with news that Kyogo is offski to Rennes and Jota is heading back in the other direction. That double deal is only likely to be the start of it too.
Kyogo's exit will almost certainly spark a hunt for a new striker with Celtic already linked with Mathias Kvistgaarden and Evan Ferguson since the news broke. With £10m in the bank for Kyogo alone and qualification for the last 32 of the Champions League, at the very least, set to boost the coffers even further, don't be surprised to see the Parkhead hierarchy go big on their new front man.
And then there's the small matter of Kieran Tierney's return. The only real doubt over that one at this stage is whether he'll be coming home now or in the summer, but we understand that once a pre-contract agreement is rubber-stamped, the club will push ahead to convince Arsenal to sign off on an immediate exit.
Rodgers has generally had a settled starting XI this season but with all these comings and goings in the pipeline, it's likely to be a very different picture by the morning of February 4 after the transfer window closes. So, what will Celtic's best XI look like?
GK – Kasper Schmeichel
The big Dane has just signed on for another season and won't be going anywhere in the near future. Viljami Sinisalo may still be the long-term contingency plan but even at 38, Schmeichel is playing some of his very best football if that double save against Young Boys is anything to go buy. He's the man for the short- and medium-term and is one who can be sure of his spot in the XI come February 4.
Backup: Viljami Sinisalo, Scott Bain
RB – Alistair Johnston
The only real question over Alistair Johnston had been his attacking output. But he's scored four and assisted seven so far this season, so there goes that. He's very much the main man in his position and with Anthony Ralston pushing him all the way, it's an area of the team Rodgers does not need to worry about.
Backup: Anthony Ralson
CB – Cameron Carter-Vickers
A colossus. After years in the wilderness at Tottenham, Cameron Carter-Vickers has found his home at last, and the only concern Rodgers may have with the American is how long it will take before the Premier League's big dogs start to take a serious look at him. He's had one or two injury issues in his time but, when fit, he's possibly the very first name on the teamsheet. Depth at centre-back may be a niggling worry, but quality certainly is not where Carter-Vickers is concerned.
Backup: Maik Nawrocki
CB – Auston Trusty
It's been a straight battle between Auston Trusty and Liam Scales for the left-side centre-back role but for the meantime it's the £7m summer addition who has the jersey. He's not had the formidable influence of the man beside him but all in all he's been a successful signing so far and it's often the case with these signings that it takes until the second season for them to truly flourish. For the time being though he has done enough that Rodgers can, well, trust him.
Backup: Liam Scales
LB – Kieran Tierney
It's the announcement Celtic fans are waiting for. After an absence of nearly six years, Kieran Tierney's homecoming can almost be marked on the calendars as he closes in on a move back north from Arsenal. His time down south was a long way from a failure, as indicated by the warm reception he still gets from fans in North London who don't want to see him go. But the time has come for a trip back up the road for the 27-year-old. If his return can be rubber-stamped for this month then a decision is likely to be made over Alex Valle, whose loan from Barcelona may be cut short to ensure play-time elsewhere.
Backup: Greg Taylor
CM – Reo Hatate
This is arguably the position in the Celtic team most up for grabs. Both Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan have had their moments this season but for now, it's the dependable Reo Hatate who appears to be Rodgers' go-to man. He showed why too with a stunning pass to set up Adam Idah against Young Boys and on his day he's one of the most naturally gifted players in the Celtic team.
Backup: Luke McCowan, Paulo Bernardo
CM – Callum McGregor
Absolutely superb. No further comment needed.
Backup: N/A
CM – Arne Engels
He may not quite have delivered on the £11m hype but Arne Engels has been an influential player for the Hoops this season. An unflappable presence as technically proficient as he is physically imposing, he's pretty much the prototype midfielder for Rodgers' system. It's taken him some time to settle in and it might take a bit more time yet before he shows his real potential, but it's worth remembering he is only 21. His very best is ahead of him, but even for now, he's absolutely good enough.
Backup: Luke McCowan, Paulo Bernardo
RW – Nicolas Kuhn
16 goals and 12 assists in 30 appearances. Numbers from the German which are legitimately unbelievable considering where he was a year ago shortly after he signed. He's the shining example of what can happen when a new signing is given ample time to settle and he's repaying Rodgers' faith in some style. One of he or Daizen Maeda may have to lose out if Jota returns with a bang, but Kuhn won't be giving up any spot without a fight.
Backup: Daizen Maeda, James Forrest, Yang
CF – Mathias Kvistgaarden (or other new striker)
Whether it's £13.5m-rated Kvistgaarden, Evan Ferguson, or someone else yet to veer into the realms of realism, Celtic have to get their replacement for Kyogo right. Adam Idah will of course hope to step up to the plate and forcing the big moment against Young Boys will have done wonders for his confidence. But you get the feeling a ruthless step up in quality up front will be on the transfer agenda.
Backup: Adam Idah
LW – Jota
The other announcement Celtic fans have been waiting for. Ever since he left for Al-Ittihad in a moneyspinning move that had Ange Postecoglou grinning all the way to the bank, he's been linked with a move back to Parkhead. And now it looks like it will come to fruition. It's been a rough couple of years but he'll be hoping to press reset and hit the ground running back where he made his major breakthrough. The No.7 may even be available if, as expected, Luis Palma gets a move away this month.
Backup: Daizen Maeda, James Forrest, Yang
The ideal Celtic XI after January window:
