Brendan Rodgers hopes Celtic can add quality to squad before transfer deadline

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers retains hope the club can sign a player that can make a difference to his team as the transfer deadline approaches.

The cinch Premiership leaders’ sole January signing, Nicolas Kuhn, made his debut off the bench during a 1-0 win over Ross County on Saturday.

Rodgers has been looking for quality rather than quantity after the club went largely for young and inexperienced additions in the summer, most of whom have struggled to break into the first team.

Rodgers said: “There are numbers of areas we’re looking at. I can only concentrate on the players I have here now. But certainly there are areas we are looking to improve on.

“Hopefully there’s movement, that’s the plan. Getting that player in who can help our level and allow us to develop. We will see over the coming days, but hopefully that’s the case.”

Rodgers was responding to a question about the left-back position after Greg Taylor was ruled out for several weeks with a calf problem.

Alexandro Bernabei made his first start under Rodgers and played a key role in Alistair Johnston’s first-minute goal as he got into the final third and delivered a dangerous low cross.

Rodgers said: “He gave everything he had. With Greg being the regular full-back it’s been difficult for him to have possibilities. But he gave everything.

“A few misplaced passes, but he got through the 90 minutes and hopefully that gives him confidence and he can better from that.”

Kuhn showed some skill, pace and directness after coming on in the 64th minute on the left wing to replace Luis Palma, who had two penalty attempts saved by George Wickens. Rodgers believes there is a lot more to come from the former Rapid Vienna wide man.

“He was in his mid-season break and had the issue with his teeth so he’s working way back to fitness. But it was nice to get that feeling and get out in front of the supporters,” Rodgers said.

Ross County hit the crossbar through Will Nightingale and pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages with Joe Hart saving well from Jordan White.

Derek Adams handed debuts to Loick Ayina, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Teddy Jenks and Brandon Khela, while playing six January signings in all and he was more than satisfied with their impact.

“The players who came in did really well and the goalie making two penalty saves was vital for us,” he said.

“We’ve added competition for places and that’s really important going into the next half of the season.

“The way they’ve come in, it wasn’t an easy venue to make a debut. They all enjoyed it.

“We’ve come away with a loss, we could have come away with a draw towards the end. We frustrated Celtic at times.”