Celtic left it late to solve the problematic left-back gap with the signing of Uruguayan international Diego Laxalt just hours before the transfer window shut.
The 27-year old joins on a season long loan from AC Milan after finding his playing time restricted in recent months but with over seven years experience of playing in Italy’s top flight, it shouldn’t take him long to get up to speed in the Scottish Premiership.
It won’t be long until he is lining up against his former colleagues though, with the left-sided player eligible to play against Milan in the Europa League, a slight difference from domestic loan deals.
When asked about the move during his unveiling to the Scottish press, the 24-times capped international said:
“I know there’s no game this weekend but I’m going to start training and I can’t wait to meet my new team-mates.
“And for me, when we’re standing in the tunnel and then out on the field, that’s when we start building up memories and building as a team.
“I learned that Rangers is the next match and I can not wait to play for Celtic in any match.
“That game has a big history. I know the clubs are rivals.
“I am looking forward to playing that game and I am looking forward to getting a result.”
It’s a good deal for the Celtic recruitment team, a player approaching his peak who has experience at the very highest level of football and if anything, Boli Bolingoli’s indiscretion has led to the position being strengthened overall.
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Having experienced the pressure of the latter stages of a World Cup, a local derby is unlikely to present too much of a problem for Laxalt and Greg Taylor now has a serious fight on his hand to hold onto his starting berth on Lennon’s left flank.