Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou joked chief executive Michael Nicholson wasn't answering his calls but, in truth, the current set-up appears in no rush to push for last-gasp deals.
The Parkhead boss has preached the value of pre-planning and even noted in November he was on to targets for the summer of 2023. The days of marquee arrivals such as Robbie Keane and Craig Bellamy rocking up appear a thing of the past. That's not to say the January window hasn't been productive for the Premiership champions – Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda, Matt O'Riley, Giakoumakis and Yuki Kobayashi have proven winter warmers.
And it's likely a case of departures rather than arrivals for a Celtic side who have remained relatively injury free with Anthony Ralston the only current first-team on the treatment table. That’s not to say we’re ruling out any incomings. We noted Postecoglou’s comments last week. But who could be likely to say goodbye to Glasgow's east end – either on a temporary or permanent basis – on Tuesday?
Record Sport runs the rule on the current state of play as a host of fringe men face key decisions.
Giorgos Giakoumakis
The MLS deadline runs for a few weeks yet, however, an announcement appears imminent. Atlanta United are primed to make the Celtic striker a designated player after the exit of Josef Martinez. A £4.3million transfer is in the works as the 28-year-old gets ready to continue his career Stateside. But will the official announcement have a Mexican theme? Atlanta's first team have travelled for a training camp before friendlies with Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes and Cruz Azul. Will Giakoumakis link up with them there? We're likely to find out soon.
Stephen Welsh
The Scotland U21 skipper has toiled with injury issues this season but that hasn't dented his stock from potential suitors. Toulouse and Hadjuk Split have been keen in the past and now Welsh is being eyed as a Man of Steel. Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore has identified the central defender as a potential loan arrival to further bolster their bid to secure promotion from League One. A drop to the third tier of English football looks a head scratcher, however, Wednesday appear on the rise and look destined for the Championship. Welsh is a homegrown Celtic star and that has its benefits when it comes to naming European squads. But, perhaps, the time may be now for the 22-year-old to take the next step in his career.
Cho gue-Sung
The arrival of Oh has ended any talk of the emerging South Korea star of the World Cup heading to Glasgow in January. Cho revealed video chats with Parkhead decision makers but the forward never appeared ready to leave K-League side Jeonbuk during this window - despite Manchester United icon and Jeonbuk chief Park Ji-sung holding talks with interested parties in London earlier this month. And talk of a move elsewhere has faded. Cho remains in place ... until at least the summer.
Oliver Abildgaard
The 26-year-old looked primed to a perfect fit as an alternative option at the base of the Celtic midfield but the lack of game time when Callum McGregor was absent certainly wasn't a promising sign. The Rubin Kazan loanee has only featured twice since October and hasn't started a game. The arrival of Tomoki Iwata only drops Abildgaard further down the Parkhead pecking order and Postecoglou admitted at the weekend it's time for fringe men to strongly consider what they want with opportunities limited with the champions. Danish side Aalborg have been credited with an interest.
Yosuke Ideguchi
And it's similar story for the Japanese midfielder who hasn't worked out. A brutal foul against Alloa last year didn't help, of course, but Ideguchi has been unable to make an impact when fit. He hasn't played this season and that is unlikely to change if he doesn't leave before the window closes. It's been a tough few years for a player who was once regarded as Japanese football's next emerging midfielder. He made 15 appearances for the national team in 2017 but he has been unable to build upon that. The only signing from Asia not to have worked out at Celtic.
James McCarthy
And to round the forgotten midfield three is James McCarthy. The 32-year-old has been limited to five appearances in all competitions but still has two-and-a-half years to run on his four-year Parkhead deal. Postecoglou gave his fringe men it straight over potential minutes and the former English Premier League standout has never been able to command regular time since joining last summer. Like the two names above - that is unlikely to change anytime soon but would a move to another Scottish Premiership side or a return to England suit? The answer will be revealed over the coming hours.
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