Brendan Rodgers reveals Celtic transfer priority as Kyogo absence forces January hand

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will target a new striker in January to cover for Kyogo and Oh at the Asian Cup.

The Parkhead gaffer admits he’s likely to lose FIVE key players in January to the tournament in Qatar. As well as Kyogo, Japan could also call upon Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate, who are due to return from injury by then. And alongside Oh, South Korean winger Yang might also be leaving Glasgow for a month.

With crucial Premiership games against Hibs and Aberdeen away - and Kilmarnock and Ross County at home - as well as a Scottish Cup tie scheduled for that period, Rodgers knows he’ll need reinforcements. And the striking department will be his priority due to the absence of Kyogo, Oh and Maeda, in particular. Celtic will have money to spend in the January transfer window but the manager has hinted that signing a forward player on loan is a possibility.

Rodgers said: “We’ve given the Asian Cup a lot of thought. The likelihood is - if they’re fit - a lot of them will be there (in Qatar). That’s part of our planning.

“It doesn’t change our plans for January as it’s not a surprise. We knew it was there. We spoke about it in the summer leading into this window. We have that in hand and we know what our ideas are for that.

“It’s about strategy. You can either buy one or you can look at the loan market. It’s always about availability and what you can afford as well.

“Is it a big loss for us (the players going away)? Yeah, but it’s always an opportunity for someone else. Everyone is replaceable. You want to have all your squad here but we’ve known all along they won’t be so we’re prepared.

“Our first look will always be inside. Is there anyone in the academy we feel can step in? You never know, you might have a £15