The curtain has been drawn on a successful 2021/22 campaign for Celtic. In a season where many had written off the Hoops before it had even began, the doubters would go on to be silenced as Celtic finished the season with a league title, a Premier Sports Cup and guaranteed Champions League group stage football for next season.

With fans now looking ahead excited as the prospect of facing Europe’s elite looms, Celtic will need improvements before the new season begins. Ange has already proven to have an eye for a player, with way more diamonds than duds being signed in his first season at the club and the fans can rely on Ange to sign the right players for the right positions, but just where should Celtic to be looking to improve ahead of the new campaign.

Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers are both looking increasingly likely to be joining the Hoops, so these positions have been identified assuming both of them will be signed.

Holding Midfielder

For years Celtic have needed a defensive powerhouse in the midfield, you just have to watch any of the failures in the European knockout stages over the last few years where Celtic’s midfield have been turned over with ease and it becomes abundantly clear that Celtic need a bit more defensive stability in the midfield.

Callum McGregor is great in this role, but he can’t do it all alone, especially against top sides in Europe and bringing in someone that can ease the pressure off of the captains defensive responsibilities, and even allow him to flourish more in an attacking sense could be a wise decision for Celtic to make.

Victor Wanyama was great at this in the past, you just have to look at some of Celtic’s greatest European triumphs over the last decade and you will quickly begin to see the importance of a rock-solid defensive engine at the heart of the midfield. Signing someone of a similar mould to the Kenyan would be wise business for Celtic.

Strong Cover at Left Back

If you were to ask me 6 months ago where Celtic needed to improve, I instantly would’ve said a starting left back, as would many other Celtic fans, but Greg Taylor’s recent renaissance and eagerness to learn and adapt to Ange’s style of football has seen him become an important figure in Celtic’s starting lineup. Strong, first-team ready cover for the left-back position though is desperately needed.

The current options at left back aside from Greg Taylor aren’t too good. Liam Scales has looked alright in cup games, but was exposed in a bad way in the 2-0 drubbing away to Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt. Boli Bolingoli has basically become a laughing stock amongst Celtic fans, whilst Adam Montgomery doesn’t look first-team ready.

Celtic have clearly recognised the need for better options in this position, with Hammarby’s Iraqi left back Mohanad Jeahze heavily linked with the club, with some contrasting reports coming out over the last few weeks. Perhaps the 25-year-old could be a future signing for the Boys.

Right Wing

Celtic have been lucky to have acquired a plethora of quality wingers in both transfer windows this season. Jota and Liel Abada became two of the clubs star players who could be relied upon to produce game changing moments, see Jota’s winners away to Aberdeen and Abada’s winner at home to Dundee United for example.

Daizen Maeda has also proven to be extremely reliable providing a constant buzz of energy down the flank. However, Celtic could probably still use some cover out on the right wing, as it can be debated as to whether James Forrest still warrants a place in the side. It would be harsh on the veteran as he has still popped up with some important goals, but if real strides are to be made in Europe, it wouldn’t hurt to buy a better option to contend with Abada on the right. Bodo/Glimt’s Ola Solbakken has been linked and he would be an excellent pickup, potentially on a cut-price fee as well as his contract is up in December.

Fans have also seen the Norwegian’s qualities first hand as he terrorised Greg Taylor all game, with his quick feet and turn of pace causing all sorts of problems for the Scotland international. Right wing is probably the least important of the three positions identified, but it is still something to think about if Celtic wish to really push and give a good account of themselves in the Champions League next season.