Five players who could strengthen Celtic ahead of title tilt

The business Celtic have done so far in the January transfer window has been tremendous. Three quality additions have been made to the first team squad and many of the fringe players have departed. However, there is still room for further strengthening of the squad and in this article, I’ll be taking a look at five players who could be brought in to bolster Ange Postecoglou’s side ahead of the run in. 

Ola Solbakken 

To strengthen their side ahead of the remainder of the current campaign, Celtic could look to their future Europa Conference League rivals, Bodo/Glimt. 

The Norwegian side have already exported a host of talent across Europe this winter with Patrick Berg heading to Lens, Erik Botheim moving to Krasnodar and Fredrik Andre Bjorkan leaving for Hertha Berlin. The next player to join that lengthy list could be winger Ola Solbakken. 

Solbakken has been a regular fixture in the Bodo/Glimt side across the past three seasons, making seventy four league appearances as he made a respectable contribution to his team’s second place finish in 2019 and back to back league triumphs in 2020 and 2021, scoring thirteen goals and setting up a further twelve. 

As well as on the domestic scene, Solbakken has also chipped in in Europe. Most Celtic fans know of Bodo/Glimt’s trouncing of Roma and in the 6-1 victory, Solbakken bagged himself a double. He also scored in the return leg at the Stadio Olimpico as his side earned a two-all draw. In total, Solbakken has five goals and two assists in his ten European appearances this season (including qualifiers), disposing his ability on the continent. 

In terms of play style, the twenty three year old is a left footed winger who, when playing on the right, loves to cut inside to create chances for his teammates and score goals. When on his natural side, Solbakken can equally play like a classic winger, getting to the bye-line to cut-back for his colleagues.

The Norwegian stands at 6”1 and also provides pace and power along with an aerial threat when in the box. 

As well as experience in European competition, Solbakken has also represented his country at senior level, making two Norway appearances. 

From the links Celtic have had to players in the January transfer window so far, it appears the club are after a right winger who can also play a more creative, central role. Ola Solbakken certainly fits this mould and could fill the gap left by Ryan Christie. 

The Norwegian would bring dynamism, a goal threat and further depth to Celtic’s attack however the Hoops may have to move swiftly with Galatasaray, Sassuolo, Sampdoria and Bayer Leverkusen said to be interested in the winger whose contract expires at the end of the calendar year. 

Marco Friedl

With Cameron Carter-Vickers yet to commit his permanent future to Celtic, Christopher Jullien beginning to ease his way back into the squad after a lengthy injury lay off and speculation beginning to mount over a move to Italy for Stephen Welsh, it could be a wise idea for Celtic to acquire the services of another centre back this window, particularly with the sheer volume of matches coming up. 

Twenty three year old Marco Friedl initially came through the academy at Bayern Munich. After failing to break into the first team squad in Bavaria, Friedl was loaned to Werder Bremen. 

A temporary eighteen month spell at the Wohinvest Weserstadion was followed by a permanent deal in the summer of 2019 with Bremen signing the then twenty one year old for a fee of £3.15 million. Since joining the club on a permanent basis, Friedl has made 98 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals and setting up eight. 

The Austrian is equally capable of playing at left back as he is in the heart of defence.

Left footed, Friedl has predominantly taken up the role of left centre back in a back five for Werder Bremen this season. The Northwestern German club currently sit seventh in the table of the 2. Bundesliga, the second tier of football in Germany. This is Bremen’s first season in said division in a mammoth forty years. 

Friedl stands at 6”1 and has averaged a high number of tackles and blocks per 90 in the past year, ranking in the ninety seventh percentile for both compared to his positional peers in the top five European leagues. Clearly, Friedl has the characteristics of a typical defender however the twenty three year old also makes a fair amount progressive passes and carries in each game, disposing his ball playing capabilities. 

Additionally, having a right footed player, like the Hoops do, playing at left centre back restricts the build up and general flow of play at times. Therefore, having a left footed player like Marco Friedl there could be hugely beneficial to Celtic. 

Another potential advantage of this move is Werder Bremen’s current plight. As mentioned, they play in the 2. Bundesliga which means the values and stock of players is comparably low to that if they were in the Bundesliga.

Furthermore, Marco Friedl is a full Austrian International, having made three caps for his country. He was also part of the side who went to the Euros last summer. 

Signing Marco Friedl could be a significant coup for Celtic. A current International, experience in both a top five European league and one of the top academies in world football, his attributes are prodigious. At twenty three, Friedl also has a plethora time to progress and a move to Celtic could be the ideal next step in his development. 

Mads Christiansen

Copious amounts of top talent have came out of Norway in recent times. The likes of Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard play for top sides in the Bundesliga and Premier League respectively. Celtic have even had their slice of the pie, making significant profit from the development and eventual sale of Kristoffer Ajer to Brentford and the next player who could follow this path is goalkeeper Mads Christiansen. 

We know Joe Hart has been a vital clog in Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic system this season although there’s no getting away from the fact the Englishman is thirty four years old. In addition, with Vasilis Barkas likely to depart Celtic imminently and doubts over Scott Bain’s abilities, particularly after his showing in Celtic’s Europa League tie with Real Betis, a long term replacement for Hart could be required. 

Twenty one year old Mads Christiansen is one of the most young, promising Norwegian goalkeepers out there. Christiansen plays for Lillestrom SK in the Norwegian Elitserien and helped his side to an eye catching fourth place finish in the 2021 season. This was after he made twenty three appearances in the OBOS-ligaen, the Norwegian second tier, as Lillestrom gained promotion in 2020.

Christiansen is an extremely agile goalkeeper who makes numerous diving saves. The twenty one year old was second in the Norwegian top division for saves per match in 2021 with 3.4; only Marcus Sandberg of eventually relegated Stabaek averaged more stops each game with 4.1. Christiansen is also adequately capable with the ball at his feet, something crucial for a Celtic goalkeeper under Ange Postecoglou. 

One concern over Christiansen however is his lack of experience. The Norwegian has made just forty nine senior appearances throughout his whole career. In those matches though, the Lillestrom keeper has kept twenty clean sheets. 

This signing of Mads Christiansen would clearly be a project one. The youngster would be brought in to learn from and after time, eventually replace Joe Hart as Celtic’s number one. It could be even be advisable to sign him up permanently then loan Christiansen back out immediately in order for him to gain more much needed experience. 

Lillestrom may take some convincing if they are to let got of one of their top prospects though with Christiansen signing a new four year deal just prior to the turn of the year. 

Maximilian Ullmann

Up to this point, every player I’ve discussed has been fairly youthful however it’s now time to turn our attention to a slightly more sophisticated, experienced option. 

His name is Maximilian Ullmann and he has been a stalwart in Austrian football in the past eight years. 

Currently, Ullmann regularly turns out for Rapid Vienna. The twenty five year old joined the Capital side after making 127 appearances for LASK in which he succoured them in an impressive rise through Austrian football, from the second tier, all the way to challenging for European places in the Bundesliga. 

For Rapid, Ullmann has made 103 appearances, predominantly at left back. The Austrian has all the hallmarks of a modern day full back; he loves to get high and wide on the left hand side and provide accurate crosses for his teammates, proved with the fact he’s registered fourteen assists in his time at Rapid Vienna. 

Additionally, the twenty five year old is able to play slightly further up the field than full back, at left midfield and even left wing, having made a number of appearances there throughout his career. 

Upon joining his present side in 2019, Ullmann signed a three year deal thus meaning his contract expires this summer. Rather conveniently, this makes him available to sign a pre contract agreement with any club which would see him join them, for free, in the summer. Alternatively, if Celtic want Ullman immediately, I’m sure it wouldn’t take an outstanding figure or fee to persuade Rapid Vienna into letting go of their number thirty one in January. 

Undeniably, left back has been one of few deficient positions in the Celtic team in recent years and arguably still is today, despite the club having several options there. It is clear that the position has failed to be nailed down by any player after Kieran Tierney left it vacant when he moved to Arsenal in a club-record deal. 

I believe Maximilian Ullmann could be the man to finally fill the void and become the long term solution at left back for Celtic. He possesses great quality, a wealth of experience and still at the age of twenty five, offers years of potential service and development. 

Regardless of whether it be on a pre contract or imminent deal, the signing of Maximilian Ullman would be an astute one that could provide Celtic with extreme virtue on the pitch for years to come. 

Omar Campos

Emilio Izaguirre was indisputably an opulent player at Celtic. The Honduran made 271 appearances over two spells at the club, winning fourteen major honours. The left back was a fan favourite in his time in Glasgow and the next Latin American player to follow in his footsteps could be Mexican Omar Campos. 

The nineteen year old plays for Santos Laguna in his homeland. Campos has made thirty eight appearances for his side throughout his short career, scoring one goal and setting up a further four. 

The Mexican is an extremely quick, agile left back who can use his lightning pace or close control to beat a man. Campos is also more than capable of playing dangerous crosses into the box and key passes to break the lines. His strengths assuredly lie in attack however the Mexican is competent defensively as well. 

Campos has already been called up to the senior Mexico squad, albeit still being a teenager. Although he didn’t get on the pitch, the reality he managed to get in the squad is an achievement in itself, especially for his tender age.  

Valued at £2.25 million by Transfermarkt, it may take some convincing for Santos to let go of one of the brightest prospects in Mexican football. However, I believe bringing in Omar Campos is firmly worth any fee paid. 

Additionally, the teenager offers a long term solution to the left back predicament I alluded to earlier as well as bringing the potential for Celtic to make some mouth-watering profit in the future. 

Every player I’ve discussed today could certainly come in and invigorate Celtic’s squad ahead of the final few months of the season. 

They all offer their own unique attributes and could make a difference in their own way. 

If you think there’s anyone I missed or you have any thoughts or opinions, leave a comment below. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @Josh_Footblog for more Celtic and Scottish football content. 

Finally, thank you very much for reading this article. I hope you enjoyed it!