For Celtic, not even the possibility of a few new signings will help turn their fortunes this season.

They are considerably off the pace in the SPFL but Neil Lennon won’t leave his post as manager until he is sacked by the hierarchy. That means that for the time being, he and Nick Hammond can continue to plan their assault on the January market.

What’s the word?

According to Football League World, Celtic are interested in signing Stoke City winger Tom Ince this January.

The Hoops are looking at ways they can complete a deal for the 28-year-old who currently earns a salary of £27k-per-week at the Championship club.

It’s not known whether a deal would be permanent or temporary but it’s evident that the Bhoys are looking for solutions to improve their attack.

Ince has played just seven matches this term so a move would probably benefit him personally.

Replacing Forrest

When you look at Celtic’s squad, they have been particularly lacking in wide areas. With James Forrest out injured, their only real viable options have been Ryan Christie and Mo Elyounoussi.

Christie has scored just once in his last 16 and Elyounoussi is only on loan. As a result, they clearly need to bring in more depth.

Though, if they do sign Ince, it would surely spell bad news for Forrest, someone who has played only seven Premiership matches this term because of an ankle injury.

The winger hasn’t been seen since mid-September but despite making over 400 appearances for the Glaswegians, his place in the squad should be under threat.

After all, Ince is a winger too and would undoubtedly offer qualities that could improve Lennon’s ranks. For starters, the wide man is a quick player capable of stretching defences and his direct nature ensured he contributed to five goals last season.

Ultimately, that was an arduous term but it wasn’t helped by Stoke’s league placing of 15th. You only need to look at what he did in a more attacking-minded team such as Derby to understand his true qualities, however.

When the Rams finished fifth in the Championship during the 2015/16 season, Ince racked up 12 goals and eight assists. He managed 14 goals the following campaign.

That may have been a number of years ago but it goes to show what the attacker is capable of when a team caters to his strengths.

Considering how much Celtic have dominated Scottish football in recent years, there’s no reason he couldn’t rediscover his mojo at Parkhead in a team who like to attack far more than Stoke.

It would be a good move for player and club, but for their own winger in Forrest, it wouldn’t be positive news at all. He will struggle enough as it is to get back in the team without the addition of another flanker in January.

He should be running scared.

AND in other news, 1 goal in 16 games: Celtic star who lost possession 17x failed Lennon again on Wednesday...