Revealed: Celtic and Rangers fans want new centre-back in transfer window

Fans of Celtic and Rangers have pinpointed centre-back as the area the club need to strengthen most before the transfer window closes.

A poll run on The Scotsman over the weekend saw supporters of both club have one thing in common: the desire for their respective clubs bring in defensive reinforcements.

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Seventy eight per cent of Celtic fans wanting the club to prioritise a new centre-back was unsurprising. It has been an aspect of the club’s summer recruitment which has dominated headlines.

Celtic and Rangers fans want defensive reinforcements. Picture: SNS/Craig WilliamsonCeltic and Rangers fans want defensive reinforcements. Picture: SNS/Craig Williamson
Celtic and Rangers fans want defensive reinforcements. Picture: SNS/Craig Williamson

Brendan Rodgers has made it known that he has not been satisfied with how the transfer market has transpired with Daniel Arzani the only new arrival, joining on loan from Manchester City. Both Scott Bain and Odsonne Edouard had their loan moves last season made permanent.

The lack of additions reached a crescendo earlier this month when the club lost to AEK Athens in the Champions League qualifying with Rodgers suffering a defensive crisis. Kristoffer Ajer was suspended while Dedryck Boyata controversially pulled out with injury. Marvin Compper has not been seen this season.

In the past two days Celtic have been linked with French defender Harold Moukoudi and a loan move for Leicester City centre-back Filip Benkovic.

Meanwhile, 38 per cent of Rangers fans pinpointed the centre of defence as the area that needs strengthened most before Friday’s midnight deadline.

It is a position which the club are in the market for with Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic the only out-and-out centre-backs in the first-team.

It’s been given added weight after the 3-3 draw with Motherwell on Sunday. Gerrard switched to a back three having played a back four since arriving which meant versatile defender Jon Flangan was played as one of the centre-backs.

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Although the club were linked to former Dundee United creative midfielder Ryan Gauld over the weekend and 20 per cent of fans want to see the club priortise a creative midfield option, while 13 per cent want another striker despite the arrival of Kyle Lafferty.