The transfer window may be closed but that doesn’t mean there aren’t bargains to be had. Although Celtic’s UEFA Champions League squad is now finalised for their group stage matches, there is still the opportunity to add free agents to their squad before January for domestic matches.
If Celtic are to reach the latter stages of the domestic trophies and get into the the knockout stages of either the UEFA Champions or Europa League, then the Hoops will play over 60 vitally important games across the course of the season.
With Brendan Rodgers streamlining the squad to a massive extent this summer, that’ll stretch the Hoops further than ever before and adding quality and depth to a few select positions could be the difference come the end of the season when they’re tallying up trophies.
There are plenty of free agents with top level experience out there and here are THREE which could provide first-team competition this season…
Jan Kirchhoff
After spells at Mainz, Bayern Munich and Schalke in Germany, Jan Kirchhoff moved to Sunderland in 2016 to test himself in the top-flight of English football. After relegation last season, the former German U21 international left the Black Cats when his contract ended and has so far not found himself a new club to call home.
Initially a hit at the Stadium of Light, with his late season form in 2015/16 helping the club escape the drop that year, he failed to become a regular in the team last season amid a raft of injury problems.
However, with top level experience in Germany and England, he likely has the quality and ability to be a hit in the Scottish Premiership and his versatility means he could be a valuable addition to Brendan Rodgers’ set-up.
Most comfortable playing as a defensive midfielder, he’s also made plenty of appearances at centre-back throughout his career. That’s an area the Hoops need cover in and Kirchhoff, still just 26 and coming into his prime, could offer that.
Reto Ziegler
Reto Ziegler is another versatile free agent who could add both quality and experience to Brendan Rodgers’ squad. He has the ability to play comfortably both at left-back and the middle of the defence, meaning he kills two problems in the Celtic squad with the lack of senior, experienced cover in both positions.
With experience at elite clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Fenerbahce, Sampdoria and Juventus, he’s someone that could be a great influence on the Hoops’ younger players coming through from the development squad, while also being capable of playing to a good level, still just 31 years of age.
If the Hoops make it into the knockout stages of either European competition, he also has experience there that could give the squad a boost on a budget.
Joe Ledley
Joe Ledley is a name familiar to all Celtic fans after a successful spell at the club between 2010 and 2014. The Welsh midfielder left Crystal Palace at the end of last season and, perhaps surprisingly, hasn’t found a new club since then.
He was still picked for Wales’ recent internationals in World Cup Qualifying though, so he does have some fitness under his belt. He’s still a quality midfielder on his day and has a proven record in the Scottish top-flight, with his dynamic displays helping the team win trophies under Neil Lennon.
He’d be an exciting addition to an already busy midfield, but when the fixtures rack up over winter and into next spring, the Hoops will need a deep squad to remain at their best and Ledley can certainly compete with the likes of Stuart Armstrong and Callum McGregor for first-team spots.
