Neil Lennon wants to secure a top signing to give his existing players a huge boost.
The Parkhead manager is aiming to make a major signing this month as he targets a new striker.
Celtic have set aside £6m to secure the services of quality attacker during the current transfer window.
And Lennon believes his players need to see that level of ambition from the club in order to stimulate them for the second half of the campaign.
He said: “Every now and again, it’s good to bring in quality. The players need to see it as well, and it gives them a jag and a bit of motivation.
“It’s difficult to keep hunting in the £1m-£2m market, finding players who are going to make you better and help you compete in the Champions League.
“But like I say, yes, we can do it financially but getting the deal done is another thing.”
Lennon has already put together an extensive list of signing targets, and has been linked with Scotland striker Steven Fletcher, who has been finding the net despite suffering injury this season.
The Hoops boss admits his focus is getting the right player to lead the line. Lennon explained: “Looking at it today, there are about 12 names on the list.
“You know you are not going to get everything that you want straightaway, so you have to create options and availability and affordability as well.
“As for a marquee signing, well, they are difficult to come by.
“If you are going to spend £5-6m, you have to be 100% sure this guy is going to come in and score goals and make you better. If he does that, then people will come and watch, anyway, but I think we do need a bit of quality at the top end of the pitch.
“In two-thirds of the pitch we are very good at the minute, so we just need someone to put the ball in the hole.”
Although focusing his efforts on bringing in new players, Lennon also plans to allow several younger players at the club to go out on loan. Callum McGregor has impressed during his loan deal at Notts County, and the Hoops boss believes others would benefit from experiencing first-team football.
He said: “A lot of players will go on loan, particularly developing players. If you look at what Callum’s done at Notts County, he’s getting rave reviews. That’s exactly what we want from the younger players, to get experience and try and stand out.
“We’re getting a lot of interest in Callum now, which is good, not that we’re interested in selling him. But the fact the kid has gone and had the experience means, when he comes back, he’ll be a better player.
“Dylan McGeouch needs to play. He’s injured and been out for the last month. But when he gets fit, we’ll look at putting him out.”
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