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Celtic dominance of the Scottish Premiership over the last decade has largely been attributed to their excellent recruitment strategy - and few would disagree.
While not all signings have worked out, the champions have long found success when it comes to spotting talent at a low cost. Even more impressively, the Hoops hierarchy have found a number of successful purchases signings in the notoriously difficult January window, with many of their current starting XI arriving at Celtic Park in the new year.
But who have been Celtic’s best ever January signings since the window was introduced in the 2002-03 season.
Here, The Scotsman rank Celtic’s best ever January transfer, from 16-1.
5. Stefan Johansen - £2million from Strømsgodset
The midfielder was a snip at £2million during Ronny Deila's reign at Celtic Park. Won the PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year in 2015, alongside three Scottish Premiership titles and a Scottish League Cup during his time in Glasgow. Now 33, he has 10 goal contributions for Sarpsborg 08 FF this season after returning home to Norway in the summer. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
6. Reo Hatate - £1.4million from Kawasaki Frontale
A player who will no doubt make Celtic a huge profit when he eventually departs. The Japanese midfielder had an immediate impact at Celtic Park, scoring a brace in a commanding 3-0 win over Rangers - a win which helped swing the title race into the Hoops favour. Named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year in 2023, he has already lifted seven trophies at Celtic Park. At just £1.4million, he has to be viewed as one of the club's best ever January buys. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
7. Adam Idah - loan from Norwich City
It is hard to ignore how big the Irishman's loan move to Celtic was last year. Scored nine goals in 19 appearances, often appearing off the bench to bag hugely important late winners. His goals against Rangers, Motherwell and Hibs were huge in the context of the title race, and his last minute goal in the Scottish Cup final will live long in the memory of the Hoops' fanbase. One of the most impactful January signings in Scottish Premiership history. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
8. Alistair Johnston - £3.5million from CF Montreal
One of Ange Postecoglou's best signings during his time at Celtic, the Canadian is one of the club's most important players. Already won six trophies in two years, Johnston has proven to be excellent value and more than replaced Josip Juranović, who has joined Union Berlin for a reported fee of £14million in the same month. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group