Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is adamant that there will be some be some new faces in his squad ahead of next week’s Champions League qualifier against FC Astana.
The Bhoys earned a shot at the Kazakhstani outfit after they comfortably overturned a first-leg defeat against Gibraltarian minnows Lincoln Red Imps at Celtic Park.
Mikael Lustig, Leigh Griffiths and Patrick Roberts scored with six first half minutes to send Celtic through.
The transfer deadline for next week’s game against Astana comes up on Thursday night, but the Celtic manager feels he will have a chance to bring in some reinforcements in time for the long trip to Kazakhstan.
“Hopefully, that is what we are looking at,” said Rodgers. “There is no doubt we need one or two more in that I want to bring into the team so let’s hope we can do something before that (window) closes tomorrow.
“That would be the plan, hopefully we could do that and that would be a great boost to the squad.”
Celtic suffered their shock defeat to Lincoln Red Imps in Rodgers’ first competitive game in searing heat on an artificial surface two weeks ago.
The prospect of similar conditions and a long journey are not overly appealing to the Parkhead boss, but he says Celtic must adapt better this time around.
“Apart from the six-hour flight, and the five-hour time difference and the 35 degree heat and the plastic pitch with no water, it should be all right,” said Rodgers.
“But it is what is thrown at us. I think you just need to adjust, we will probably fly out on the Monday, the game is on the Wednesday and just prepare the best we can.
“We have to find a way to get a performance and a result.”
Celtic are 1.25 to retain their Scottish Premiership title this season while Glasgow rivals Rangers are 4.20.
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