Deila's New Year dilemma over Celtic stars Van Dijk and Guidetti

And while I'm sure every Hoops fan would be delighted if that were the case, I think the situations for both players are completely separate.

Guidetti isn't here long term as his loan deal is due to expire at the end of the season, so I can understand the need to try and get him tied down quickly.

Virgil is different because he signed a four-year contract only last summer, so he should not be going anywhere in a hurry.

Unless a bid comes in to entice Celtic to part with him, I'd say that has to go on the back burner for now.

You don't want to sell him, of course, but Celtic won't lose out on it either way.

If he stays they will get the use of his services, if he does leave then they will be reimbursed handsomely for it.

That, of course, isn't the case with the loan signings, so it's all about focusing on guys like John and making sure they stick around.

Ronny will want him to be part of his plans.

January is a more difficult time to make signings compared to the summer.

That's not to say Celtic won't try and get the Guidetti deal done.

Making sure the deal is done with Manchester City is something which has been ongoing and, if it comes off, will feel like a new signing.

But Celtic need to be careful. His contract is up at the end of the season, and even though they may have agreed a deal with the Etihad club, I would not be at all surprised if another team tries to come in and hijack things.

Celtic have an advantage because they have the Swede here, he is comfortable at the club, knows what it's about, and has the chance of European football.

They need to use that to their advantage.

I'm not sure where Guidetti stands. His form has dipped in the last few games, but how he has performed before shows what he can do.

Although, I get the feeling that he is weighing up his options before making a decision.

Van Dijk is a bit different. I think Celtic could get away with biding their time until the summer, that way they will still have his services for the rest of the season, at least.

That's not to say that additions wouldn't be welcomed, and it's in the defensive area which I believe needs looked at.

It's pretty obvious where there failings have been, especially in the Europa League.

If Celtic want to go on a run in the get beyond Inter Milan then they need to stop leaking goals. It's as simple as that.

I think they could consider bolstering things at the back.

The defending against Dundee United at the weekend for both goals left a lot to be desired, and it's something the Italians will ruthlessly punish them for.

Not only are there individual errors, there seems to be some mistakes being made collectively as well.

They just don't look solid enough, and to resolve that in the Europa League you need to consider making an acquisition.

In saying that, when Mikael Lustig comes back he will make a real difference, and I still maintain Charlie Mulgrew's best position is at centre-half.

There is also Jason Denayer to return.

Going forward, Ronny now appears to have options, with Leigh Griffiths catching the eye on Sunday.

He's not been in the manager's plans much up until recently, and Leigh is now at the stage where he must convince the Norwegian to not just bring him off the bench, but start him.

With Guidetti now scoring in the last four games, he may get that opportunity against Ross County tomorrow.

Realistically, however, the Man City man is always going to be the first choice, and it may be that people like Griffiths need to adapt into the formation from outwide.

But if he carries on performing the way he has been in the last couple of games, he will give his manager food for thought.

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