THERE'S STILL TIME FOR CELTS TO HAVE A HAPPY SPENDING

Former Hearts man Joe believes Bhoys have too much in reserve for his old side in title fight

- GORDON PARKS

JOE SAVAGE knows better than most about the need to get it right in the January transfer window as far as stick or twist goes.

But the former Hearts sporting director has assessed.

Celtic's squad amid a catalogue of injuries and believes they still have enough to pip his old club to the title.

Panic could be setting in within the Hoops' recruitment department, given Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota, Callum Osmand, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alistair Johnston and Marcelo Saracchi are all sidelined.

But Savage sees no need to worry despite the Jambos being seven points clear at the summit, albeit having played one more match.

He understands there is a conundrum facing the club should they sign more players to replace the crocks or do they be patient in a bid to land the stars they always wanted? But he reckons there is an even bigger one to solve for the Parkhead power brokers.

Savage said: "The biggest conundrum for Celtic is about the management team. If it's Martin O'Neill, then you need to give him until the end of the season so he can have the January transfer window.

"Will he be trusted to bring in the couple of players Celtic need to catch Hearts and win the league? "If it's to be a new manager, I would imagine he'd come in and want to bring in his own players then it could be a bigger revamp.

"Much of it will come down to head of football operations Paul Tisdale. He'll have a list of players he's looking at and he just needs a manager to make the final call. Every club wants to be two or three transfer windows ahead but the list of injuries they have will change things and they'll have a running list of targets.