John Guidetti is top of Celtic boss Deila's wishlist

The lists to Santa are already in, the sleigh is all packed and the stockings are hanging by the fireplace. Yet Ronny Deila knows that some of the best presents he could receive this Christmas are already in his possession.

The festive season does not just bring turkey, Morecombe and Wise repeats and granny's sweet sherry habit to the fore, it also signals that the January transfer window is just around the corner. It is a period which traditionally causes much angst around the corridors of Parkhead and Lennoxtown, with Deila's predecessor Neil Lennon twice yearly having to hope his top talents don't get attracted by the bright lights of England or further afield.

The Northern Irishman also had to contend with trying to unearth hidden gems and lure them to a club that, with all due respect to other teams in the SPFL Premiership, have competed in a one-team title race for the last two seasons. It was a job Lennon performed admirably as he delved into the market to bring in players such as Victor Wanyama, Gary Hooper, Virgil van Dijk and Kris Commons, to name but a few.

Deila will be aiming to replicate that feat, just as he did back in the summer, when he was able to lure Jason Denayer and John Guidetti to Parkhead. However, it's a task that will be of secondary importance to the Norwegian. Part of the Celtic manager's philosophy is continuity and togetherness, so it is unsurprising he has made his top priority keeping hold of those players who are currently operating at a high level under him. It's a task which he is hoping to accomplish before his Christmas tree is packed away.

"I would hope so," said Deila, when asked if doing things quickly was of high importance. "But I've said also that to get consistency to keep players is more important. But we want both. It is much easier to develop what you have, when you know what you have. To get people in, is like getting presents. You never know what you get. It could be nice or something you have to throw away. It's very interesting to get presents, but it does not always turn out the way you want to."

The name on the top of his Christmas wish list to the man in the XXXXL red coat has been scribbled down for some time - Guidetti. Despite his recent goal drought - the Swede has failed to score in his last four appearances - his star still burns so brightly at Parkhead that the three wise men are probably following it along London Road.

11 goals in 16 appearances is still a formidable strike rate for a man who had barely kicked a ball for over two years since he rocked up in Glasgow at the start of the season. Negotiations to make his year-long loan spell a permanent arrangement have been going on for some time, and it is one Deila is not prepared to lose patience with.

"The negotiations are going on. There is progress all the time," he said. "We will see if we can get what we want. If we do, everyone will be happy. But you know what you already have. And you know players like Guidetti will be better (in the future). They are young. That's the kind of players we want to get in so we can progress as a team and hopefully get to the level we want to be at in Europe."

Guidetti is not the only one Deila is looking to keep hold of, of course. Commons is one of them, Van Dijk another. Two players who have become firm favourites around Parkhead in recent years.

"We want to try and get Guidetti to go through, keeping Virgil and Kris, these are important," said the Celtic manager. We also have to look for players who can add to the squad and make them better. If we can do that then we will be in a better position in February than we are right now."

 

I think we will get him but I wouldn't say 'no question'.. I reckon our chances are about 85%

 

Despite all his talk i think he will walk and sign for someone else.
Signing for some mid table epl side to get more caps or some *.

 

l hope l'm wrong but l suspect "oor John" may be yet another "badge kisser" and will soon be off chasing the money.

 

Think we'll sign him but not 100% confident. I'd be gutted if we missed out and see him * off to a Burnley or a Crystal Palace.

 

Unless he's just a total liar he'll either sign for us or go to the likes of Marseille. No chance he's going to a * English club. He wants passionate fans and trophies and he says that money isn't the most important thing to him as long as he can put food on the table for his family.

I'll be very surprised if he doesn't sign for us.

 

Agreed. Think we'll get him but I can't see us announcing a 5 year deal on January 1st

 

Not a doubt in my mind he will sign.

 

Be very surprised if he signs.

 

I think he'll be away if Im honest

 

I think he if he was gonna sign permanent then it would have been done by now. Unfortunately.

 

I think he'll sign. Sounds like negotiations are at an advanced stage. He's worth the big wage because he's potentially worth a lot more than £3million.

 

I think he's more likely to sign then not. Then again what if a team like Newcastle or Villa came in and said they'd make him their starting striker?

We must do everything in our power to keep him.

 

He'll sign for another club I think. Hope I'm wrong though.

 

Very well written LoveTheTic88

I think he might let his contract run down to capitalise on that.

I really hope he signs for us though. It would be in his best interests too as he's got so much potential but hasn't truly shown it yet. He won't be able to develop it elsewhere as much as he will here. He'll be our main striker and he'll also get at least Europa League every season (hoping he stays for 2 or 3) and then move for the big money.

A big club right now couldn't offer him a definite starting position and a smaller club could mess with his progress because if he hits a bit of poor form that could be him out for a while.

I hope big Virgil at least waits till summer. He might even want to stay if he sees Ronnie making real progress.

It's always about the money though and who can blame players, there's very few of us who would turn down a massive pay rise.

I'm optimistic they'll both be here come February. Also optimistic Ronnie will have at least a couple of quality new recruits too.

Merry Christmas everyone, have a wonderful day. Hail Hail!!

 

Am tellin ye's, he's gonna sign with Celtic. Quit your worryin!

 

I think he'll sign for us but we won't give City a penny for him, why would we? If the guy is willing to sign with us when we're paying for him then it's pointless to pay for him when we can get him for free next month. We can give him a huge signing bonus and better wages if we don't pay for him. No brainer for me.

Pretty much like this -

Us: John we've agreed a fee with City for ££ for you to join us. Do you want to sign permanently?
Guidetti: Aye sounds good.
Us: Well if you wanna do that do yo wanna just * giving City any of the cash and you can sign next month and we'll give you more money.
Guidetti: Aye sound.

 

He's no coming, get over it

 

I will not get over it and stop ruining Christmas!