Celtic Assessing Winger Move as Champions League Push Takes Shape

Celtic could be ready to make further significant investments in their squad if they complete their Champions League qualification on Tuesday night.

The Hoops head into the second leg against LASK with a commanding 3-0 advantage from the first meeting, putting Martin O’Neill’s side in a strong position to progress. Despite that cushion, O’Neill has continued to remind his players that the tie is not over and that they must remain focused at the Raiffeisen Arena.

Celtic have already invested more than £30 million this summer on Camilo Duran, Kasper Hogh, Haissem Hassan and Mika Baur. Those additions have strengthened the midfield and attacking areas, but further recruitment could still be required before the transfer window closes.

The injury to Alistair Johnston has created another issue for O’Neill to address. The Celtic boss has confirmed that the club will consider options at right-back, with a temporary loan move among the possibilities.

However, the biggest priority remains adding a box-to-box midfielder following Arne Engels’ move to West Ham. His departure ended his time in Scotland and saw him become the most expensive signing in English Championship history.

Left wing is another position Celtic could potentially revisit, although it has not been a major source of transfer speculation recently. Assistant manager Shaun Maloney previously suggested that the club have sufficient options in that area, particularly with Jota continuing his recovery from a lengthy injury.

At present, Sebastian Tounekti and Yang Hyun-jun provide options on the left, which has allowed Celtic to concentrate on other areas of the squad.

Adrian Blake remains a player who has previously been linked with a move to Parkhead. The Utrecht winger is reportedly interested in joining the Scottish champions and has already made his mark at Celtic Park, scoring during Utrecht’s January meeting with Celtic as the hosts won 4-2 to secure their place in the Europa League play-off round.

Sky Sports has now provided an update on Celtic’s thinking regarding a potential move for a left winger.

The club’s recruitment department is expected to decide whether another player is necessary in that position before the transfer deadline. Signing a left winger had reportedly been part of Celtic’s original summer plans, but other developments have forced the club to reassess its priorities.

Blake is understood to remain a leading candidate if Celtic decide to strengthen that position, with the player reportedly keen on making the switch.

However, Jota’s progress in his recovery has complicated the situation. Chelsea loanee Landon Emenalo could also influence Celtic’s decision, given his ability to operate further forward despite primarily providing cover at left-back.

Emenalo is expected to complete a season-long loan move to Celtic without a permanent purchase option. The 18-year-old is set to offer competition and cover for Kieran Tierney but has enough versatility to play in an attacking role.

The Chelsea youngster has already visited Celtic’s Lennoxtown training centre and, despite picking up a minor injury during training with Chelsea, his move to Glasgow appears close to completion.

Blake therefore remains on Celtic’s shortlist, but the club could decide against pursuing the winger for now. With Johnston’s injury creating a fresh concern and a new midfielder still considered a priority, the left-wing position may be pushed further down the list.

With only a little over a week remaining before the transfer window closes on September 3, Celtic will have to decide quickly where their remaining resources should be invested.