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Celtic's hunt for a long-term replacement for veteran right-back Mikael Lustig goes on - the Swede's contract expires in the summer and he has yet to be offered a new deal - but they must not settle for anything less than Premier League outcast Nathaniel Clyne.

What's the word?

Well, while Lustig remains first choice - albeit largely due to the fact there are no other quality options for the former Liverpool boss - the club is surely keen to find not just a replacement but a significant upgrade and Brendan Rodgers can find exactly that in Nathaniel Clyne.

The former Southampton man missed 44 games between July 2017 and March 2018 due to a back injury, but has since lost his place in the Reds starting line-up to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been able to establish himself as one of Europe's most exciting young defenders in the 27-year-old's absence.

Jurgen Klopp seemed to write off the number 2's future at Anfield after the German expressed concerns that he does not offer enough going forward, so it seems that the 14-capped international could be on his way should a suitable bid come in.

Odsonne Edouard commanded a fee of £9.3m when he made the switch to Paradise from PSG in the summer but a deal for Clyne could blow that figure out of the water - Transfermarkt values him at £18m.

Reliable right-back

Clyne can more or less forget about regaining his place on the right of England's defence - the position he once held down without much challenge - and so a move to Scotland wouldn't be a backwards step in his career. Adversely, it may be exactly the move he needs to reignite his career.

The Londoner has made 99 appearances for Liverpool and has been in search of a hundredth since September but would surely take the opportunity to link back up with Rodgers should he come calling.

Still a top quality right-back, Clyne is out of favour at Anfield for little fault of his own - he just doesn't suit Klopp's 'in your face' style - and the defensive solidity and dependability he could offer the Hoops should make him a must buy come January.

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