Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has called on the Hoops to sign a new forward in the summer transfer window, after failing to do so in January despite Kyogo leaving.

With Daizen Maeda stepping up in Kyogo’s absence, Sutton — like many supporters — believes that signing a quality striker would further push the Hoops to the next level. Adam Idah has also impressed in recent weeks, scoring three goals in his last two games.

However, Sutton believes that with Maeda often favoured in a central role over Idah, it shows how Brendan Rodgers rates the Irishman’s progress this season.

With Sutton feeling more confident than he did at the beginning of the year ahead of the Champions League play-offs in August.

He said: (RecordSport), “Maeda’s also at three-and-a-half years, but Celtic must surely keep him.

“His ability to play as a No.9 takes away the urgency to get a new central striker signed ahead of the Champions League qualifiers.

“Adam Idah was supposed to take Kyogo’s place, but the fact Rodgers opted to go with Maeda for the majority of the time may tell a story.

For my money, Celtic have to buy a top-class striker. I thought it in January when Kyogo left and I still do.”

Signing a top striker could really push the team on, with four league defeats this season and more clinical finishing possibly being the difference between exiting and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League. The room for improvement is there.

The opportunity is there for the Celtic hierarchy to back Rodgers even further in the summer, and the Irishman has consistently shown over two spells what he can do when he is backed.

Undoubtedly, the summer transfer window will be intriguing. Historically, Celtic have always made one major sale; however, whether that happens this summer remains to be seen.

However, once again, Celtic are champions of Scotland for the 55th time, and with the chance to seal a ninth domestic treble in the club’s history, Rodgers has enjoyed a season to remember.