After winning away to Anderlecht last month, Celtic are now within touching distance of securing European football after Christmas. Barring an unlikely upturn in the Belgian's UEFA Champions League results and a complete collapse from the Hoops, they are guaranteed to be at least competing in the Europa League in the new year.

That's exciting stuff for the Hoops, who haven't played in the knockout rounds of either European competition since 2015. The feeling amongst supporters is that Brendan Rodgers can inspire a good performance in Europa League and expectations will be high.

In order to achieve their potential though, some quality still needs to be added to the Celtic squad in some key areas, with a few positions still lacking depth.

The policy of the club is to not add any players that can't improve the first-team and that means the Hoops must recruit well and add serious quality to the side, raising the standards expected at Celtic Park.

We've identified three players that could fit into Brendan Rodgers' starting eleven...

Diego Reyes

Diego Reyes is a Mexican international defender who currently plays for Porto.

The 25-year-old's contract runs out at the Portuguese club next year and since his move from his homeland in 2012 he has failed to make himself a regular for the side, perhaps opening up the opportunity for a potential deal in January.

That lack of regular football isn't as extreme as it first appears. He's spent the last two full seasons on loan at La Liga sides Real Sociedad and Espanyol, making 63 appearances in total for the two clubs.

That's defensive experience at the top level that could really enhance the Celtic team, in an area they are struggling for cover in as it is. Jozo Simunovic, Dedryck Boyata and Erik Sviatchenko have been impressive performers for the Hoops, but their injury record is concerning and adding Reyes would really boost their European chances.

Having just achieved 50 caps for Mexico and with plenty of years left in his career, he could be the kind of quality defensive signing Celtic fans have been crying out for.

Amin Younes

Amin Younes is another player whose contract with his club runs out next summer, although Ajax do hold the option for another year.

Given the Dutch side's problems this season though, dropping out of Europe altogether and sitting sixth in the table thus far, is there an opportunity for Celtic to make an ambitious move this January?

The winger certainly has the quality to make an impact at Celtic Park and knows how to perform in the UEFA Europa League. He was instrumental during their run to the final last season, making 15 appearances in the competition and scoring in both the quarter and semi-finals.

In all competitions last term the 24-year-old scored seven times and assisted 13 goals for his teammates, producing the kind of form that saw him called up to the Germany national team this summer where he scored two goals in his first four caps.

With Celtic on the rise, perhaps a move to Glasgow isn't too outlandish, especially if he wants to continue testing himself in European competition, something Ajax can't offer him right now. The Hoops are also a great stepping stone to the English Premier League should he want to test himself there.

Omar Elabdellaoui

With Mikael Lustig about to turn 31, Anthony Ralston still a bit away from being considered reliable at European level and Cristian Gamboa out of favour, the Hoops could do with thinking about the right-back position, both in the short and long-term.

Lustig won't be around forever and while Ralston is showing great potential, bringing in another player of quality, with plenty of years ahead of him and European experience would be no bad thing at all.

Omar Elabedellaou could be the perfect candidate.

He's been at Olympiakos since 2014 but his future is in doubt there after a lack of appearances last term, a January loan move to Hull City and the fact his contract expires next summer.

That opens the door for Celtic to potentially pursue a quality right-back not yet in the best years of his career. At 25 years of age, he has experience but also the potential to have a long-lasting career a the club.

With 26 caps for Norway and 20 appearances in UEFA competition for the Greeks, he would not be phased at all by the challenges ahead at the Hoops and has the attacking attributes to slot right into Brendan Rodgers' side.