Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers expects the club will go down the loan route to improve his strike options before Monday’s transfer deadline.
The William Hill Premiership leaders are looking to add a forward to make up for the loss of Kyogo Furuhashi, who departed for Rennes last week.
Adam Idah netted against Motherwell on Sunday and Daizen Maeda finished the game in the central role, with 21-year-old Johnny Kenny left on the bench.
With Rodgers confirming interest in 18-year-old Daniel Cummings, who has been linked with West Ham, Celtic are short of options but Rodgers does not want to be rushed into a long-term transfer that does not suit.
When asked if a new forward would likely come on loan, he said: “I would think so. I think that to get the one we would want for that longer term, if it’s not there, then I don’t want to just bring in anyone for the sake of it.
“There’s no point in bringing in someone if they’re not the right fit. So it might be more down that route, but we’ll wait and see.”
Rodgers appears to have put his trust in chief executive Michael Nicholson to get a deal over the line.
“My feeling was always once Kyogo was gone, was to have someone else to come in,” Rodgers said.
“I don’t know exactly know where it’s at at this moment, but I’d be hopeful that we can do that.
“But the demand is still there to improve the squad. We have to make sure that there’s constant improvement. That’s been clear. I don’t need to fall out with anyone over it.”
Rangers manager Philippe Clement is waiting to see if his club can get the players in that he wants and when asked about potential departures, he said: “You never know. But if that’s the case, they need to be replaced by at least the same level.”
Motherwell caretaker manager Stephen Frail is liaising with head of recruitment Nick Dawes about his club’s plans, with the potential to add to their six January signings. With the first-team squad now at 33 players, though, some could exit on Monday.
“There’s always a chance of that,” Frail said. “There’s one or two who obviously didn’t make the bench (on Sunday), so the squad has increased with the new signings over the last week or so.”
Hibernian head coach David Gray promised his club would be “proactive” and be ready to respond if any players depart, with Elie Youan in demand from Stoke and elsewhere.
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin revealed his club were “working hard to try and get some energy and quality into the team”.
St Mirren are trying to sign two players while Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes is also on the hunt – but has warned that finances are tight.
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin is content with his squad while Hearts and Dundee are still looking at the market and the latter hope to hang on to Lyall Cameron, although a bid may prove hard to turn down for a player who looks unlikely to extend his contract beyond the summer.
St Johnstone are also expected to be busy and Benji Kimpioka is weighing up a potential move.
Ross County manager Don Cowie is comfortable with his squad but did not rule out additions.
