Celtic’s summer will be dominated by a constant barrage of departures.
Whether it’s someone on the Hoops playing staff or a member of the hierarchy at Parkhead, a mass exodus looks set to take place.
One of those who could leave Glasgow behind is central defender Kristoffer Ajer.
The Norwegian has come a long way since being signed as a 17-year-old, now attracting the eyes of those in the Premier League.
Newcastle have sent scouts to watch him and it wouldn’t be a great surprise if Saturday’s game with Hibernian was his last as a Celtic player.
With Christopher Jullien a long-term absentee, it leaves Stephen Welsh as the only reliable centre-half in the first-team picture.
As such, the Bhoys will need to delve into the transfer market and find a replacement.
According to TEAMtalk, Celtic are leading the race to sign Cardiff City defender Ciaron Brown. The Northern Irishman has had quite the story, being snapped out of non-league football to becoming a professional.
He starred for Livingston earlier this term and it’s his performances at Almondvale that leads us to believe Celtic should sign him.
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A dogged defender who can also play at wing-back, he is rather different to Ajer. The Norway international is a wonderful ball-playing centre-back, something epitomised by his pass success rate of 97% this weekend.
Brown, on the other hand, is not so good with the ball at his feet. Throughout 2020/21, the 23-year-old has completed just 53.1% of his passes.
That is a horrifying number but there are certain advantages to signing him. For example, he is colossal in the air, winning 3.3 aerial battles per match this term.
He is also a prolific tackler, winning 1.6 challenges per game for Livingston.
Celtic have seen firsthand what a bully he can be in defence and in the final third. When they drew 2-2 with Livi back in January, Brown not only scored but also assisted a goal from centre-back.
He made a devastating impact that crushed Lennon’s side and handed them a pretty embarrassing result away from home.
A strong and hard-working footballer, his mental attributes could undeniably help Celtic’s lacklustre defence.
They conceded 16 more goals than Rangers in the league this season so need someone with a bit of extra steel.
Speaking to The Daily Record after Cardiff recalled him from his loan spell in Scotland, manager David Martindale said: “He is a massive player for us and he is a great lad around the place.
"Ciaron has got a very good football brain. When I ask him to do a job, he knows what to do and nine times out of ten he will make the right decision.”
Considering the Celtic backline have lacked some very basic decision-making skills this season, Brown would be an astute capture.
They will, however, need to ensure he passes the ball out more adequately than he’s shown this season.