Even if Celtic were to lose Matt O’Riley before the end of the summer transfer window, Brendan Rodgers would still have two of the league’s best three midfielders at his disposal.

As the Brighton and Hove Albion target endured a frustrating afternoon in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Hibernian – nothing really coming off for him in the final third – Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate stepped up to prove that, even on a rare O’Riley off day, Celtic still have more than enough talent to blow most clubs in Scotland away.

McGregor has been outstanding throughout the new campaign, scoring a screamer against the same opposition in the Premiership. Hatate, meanwhile, is revving back to his Rolls Royce best.

But the concern is that, even if O’Riley was to stay at Parkhead, Celtic’s midfield options beyond their fabulous first-choice picks look a little thin.

Brendan Rodgers needs Celtic signings even if Matt O’Riley stays

Kwon Hyeok-Kyu has joined Saturday’s opponents on loan. Rodgers suggested that there was no real place in his immediate plans for Thiago Odin Holm or Bosun Lawal either, before the latter sealed his £2 million move to Stoke City.

Paulo Bernardo has returned while Tomoki Iwata has made progress in recent months. But should O’Riley go, that would leave Celtic with only four real stand-out options in the middle.

No wonder The Hoops continue to be linked with a number of potential outside hires.

Augsburg’s Arne Engels, Hammarby whizzkid Bazoumana Toure, and Dundee captain Luke McCowan; all have been mentioned in recent days.

Keep an eye out for Tanner Tessmann too.

Linked with Italian reporter Gianluca di Marzio, Tessmann remains on the market with a proposed move from Venezia to Fiorentina yet to materialise. Valued at £4.7 million, the USA international would also come cheaper than either Engels or Toure.