Frank McAvennie expects busy January transfer window for Hoops

Celtic legend Frank McAvennie has suggested that Neil Lennon’s side could be busy in the January transfer window, with multiple additions being made to the squad as well as some exits for fringe players.

The Hoops were active in the market over the summer, bringing in the likes of Albian Ajeti, Vasilis Barkas and David Turnbull to the club on permanent deals, whilst Shane Duffy and Diego Laxalt arrived on loan from Brighton and AC Milan respectively. However, with the champions trailing arch-rivals Rangers by 16 points in the Premiership, the new arrivals do not seem to have had the desired effect.

Celtic have already been linked with a move for Crystal Palace’s James McCarthy in January, and it has been reported that Olivier Ntcham could be used as a makeweight in that potential deal. There are other players in similar positions to the 24-year-old in the squad who could be moved on in order to create space for new arrivals to get their season back on track.

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie suggested that there will be a couple of players eyeing an exit in the January window due to their lack of game-time. He also predicted that there will be a couple of new signings to help bolster the squad and try to get them competing for the title again, saying:

I think there will be a clear-out in January. I think some of the boys will go, I really do.

There will definitely be a couple coming through the door in January, that is a given.

It is the kind of business that should have been done in the summer but I’ve heard a few of them were persuaded to stay for the 10 and that might not have been a good thing.

Players want to leave and if I was the manager I would leave them out. It is fine but let the boys who want to be at the club play. Hopefully come January things will sort themselves out.

Read Celtic verdict

Celtic find themselves at something of a crossroads at the moment, with Lennon’s side going through a transition period as some players who have been instrumental in helping the club secure the quadruple treble now potentially seeing their futures elsewhere. That has perhaps impacted upon the performances and results they have had on the field this term.

Lennon is in need of re-shaping his squad and freshening things up to prevent things from going stale and stop Celtic from regressing. The summer recruitment has left a lot to be desired and it will be vital that the Hoops now focus their attention on bringing in the right quality of players in the January window.

As McAvennie has suggested, having unsettled players around the dressing room may not be helpful, and their focus may be wavering if they see their futures elsewhere. Stand by; January could be an eventful month at Parkhead.