Rodgers Must Simply Sign These 2 Players To Bolster Celtic’s Europa League Campaign

Rodgers Must Simply Sign These 2 Players To Bolster Celtic’s Europa League Campaign

Celtic qualified for the Round of 32 of the UEFA Europa League after they finished third in their Champions League group, despite having lost their final game 1-0 against Anderlecht.  

A Jozo Simunovic own goal in the 62nd minute condemned the Hoops to a loss at home, but they still managed to retain their third spot behind Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich and now will be looking forward to the upcoming draw for the next round of the Europa League to be held on Monday. 

Manager Brendan Rodgers will be keen on taking his team a long way in the competition in order to prove that his side can compete in the knockout stages of the Europa League, to add to their domestic domination.

For that to happen, however, the Hoops will need to strengthen their squad in some areas in the winter window and here we look at two players that could help them progress far in the Europa League; 

Jack Hendry (Dundee)

The centre-back area is something that Rodgers will definitely look to strengthen given the injury troubles of Simunovic, Dedryck Boyata and Erik Sviatchenko. All three defenders have spent considerable time out on the sidelines which has hampered the club, with the manager forced to using the likes of Nir Bitton and Mikael Lustig in the heart of the backline.  

The 22-year old has been in sensational form for Dundee this season, since his summer move from Wigan. He has featured 22 times already for the club, in which he has managed two goals as well. Rodgers earmarked him for praise following the Hoops’ 1-0 win over Dundee in October, clearly impressed with his abilities.  

The former Partick Thistle man has been linked with a move to the Parkhead of late and signing him would add quality depth to the squad. 

 

Harry Wilson (Liverpool – Loan)

 

The free-scoring 20-year old wide man has grown into a pivotal player for Neil Critchley’s Liverpool U-23 side, but hasn’t been able to break into the first-team setup at Anfield as of yet. With the reserves manager conceding recently that a loan spell could be on the cards, Celtic should definitely explore this option. 

Wilson is someone whose talents are well known to Rodgers from his Liverpool days and the youngster has since gone from strength to strength. He led the Reds’ U-23 to the third place in the Premier League 2 last season, netting 28 times and has continued in a similar vein of form this term as well, having scored nine and assisted three times in eight games.  

With the ability to play on either flank or through the middle, the Welsh international will provide some much-needed depth on the wings for the Hoops, especially following Patrick Roberts’ injury and Scott Sinclair’s recent dip in form.