Neil Lennon insists Celtic’s next two signings will be ready-made starters who can handle the title pressure.
But former Hoops midfielder Victor Wanyama won’t be one of them.
The champions have already done deals for 21-year-olds Patryk Klimala and Ismaila Soro in this window.
However, the manager knows his team need more than potential after their December derby defeat left Rangers breathing down their necks.
So he’s hoping to add experienced campaigners in the mould of Moi
Elyounoussi, Celtic’s summer loan signing from Southampton.
He said: “Ideally, yeah, they’d be starters. What we are looking for is to add one or two, like an Elyounoussi type, who are ready to come in and play straight away with a bit more experience and physicality.
“Against Rangers, we looked like we lacked a little bit of nous and experience, a little bit of physicality, so they are areas we’re looking at to bring in.
“We’ve room for manoeuvre to bring one or two more in.”
Asked if Spurs outcast Wanyama was in his thoughts, Lennon added: “He’s in my thoughts but could we afford him? I doubt it very much.
“The problem is where to fit him in. I don’t think that’s going to be an option.”
Lennon expects to have injured Elyounoussi back before the end of the month.
And he added: “Vakoun Bayo is maybe another week or so away from playing and we felt bringing another striker was important. Klimala has pace, power and raw talent. We have competition there now.
“If we have a number of strikers it might give us the opportunity to play two up. You can’t have enough good strikers and there will be
injuries and suspensions.”
