Celtic and the escalating transfer emergency as 4 solutions ranked and rated to relieve season-defining strife

The agitation Celtic fans had heading into this transfer window is rising rather than reducing among a support itching for signing salvation.

And, let's make one thing clear, a gnawing sense more is needed isn't restricted to social media, club forums and watering holes across the country. Brendan Rodgers has continually stressed the need for four quality signings. It's understood £3million winger Nicolas Kuhn fits that bill but more has to be done in the eyes of everyone with a vested interest in the Premiership champions.

Rodgers has been keen to add a striker, a long-term successor to Joe Hart and, perhaps, the most pressing of all is a bonafide contender to split game time with incumbent left-back Greg Taylor. That need was urgent before the Scotland international pulled up lame and is now set for a spell on the sidelines. Rodgers admits Celtic supporters are right to ask the big questions over signings but insists he won't rush the search for quality. But it's hard to deny the need for a new left-back is now a non-negotiable. Record Sport runs the rule over the options on offer.

And risk is the operative word. If there was a ready-made replacement then stress levels would be reduced. Alexandro Bernabei is Taylor's understudy but the former Lanus man has proven incapable of becoming a reliable back-up. The 23-year-old has flashed glimpses in his 18 months in Glasgow – mostly in attacking areas – but appears to lack the physicality and the defensive discipline to start regularly for Celtic.

So what else can Rodgers do without signing a new left-back before next Thursday night? Liam Scales, the breakout star of the season, could shift over one slot and start in place of Taylor. That would allow star defender