CELTIC missed out on a deadline day bid for Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu as the champions ended the transfer window with just two new arrivals.
Manager Neil Lennon had admitted on Thursday that he may look to source cover for the wing positions following the knee injury picked up by Mikey Johnston in the win over St Johnstone the previous night.
Ghanaian international Atsu though is understood to have rebuffed a move to Glasgow, preferring to stay and fight for his place at St James’s Park.
That means the January window closes with Celtic’s spending standing at £5m on two players, 19-year-old striker Patryk Klimala and 21-year-old midfielder Ismaila Soro.
Despite conceding that another winger would have been welcome though, Lennon insists he is happy to go into the rest of the season with the squad he has at his disposal.
“If we don’t bring anyone else in, I’m delighted with the squad, and with 3-5-2 anyway you are limited to the amount of wingers you can use,” Lennon said.
“I’m not saying that’s going to be the tried and trusted formula for us going forward but we’re playing very well with that formation.”
Meanwhile, Lewis Morgan’s move to Inter Miami was finally rubber-stamped yesterday as the former St Mirren man’s work permit was granted.
A fee believed to be in the region of £400,000 was agreed between Celtic and the MLS club earlier in the month, and the transfer has now been completed.
The only other outgoing from Celtic Park yesterday was youngster Grant Savoury, who has joined League Two side Edinburgh City on a loan deal until the end of the season.
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