Celtic have been urged to make a move to sign Scotland pair Angus Gunn and Ross Stewart on free transfers.
A lot of work will be done in the transfer market in the east end of Glasgow, with Martin O'Neill admitting last season there would need to a rebuild. With the man himself now confirmed as permanent manager, he will be heavily involved in that.
Improvements are needed in certain areas, while several loan players have gone back to their parent clubs and Stephen Welsh has been allowed to sign for Swansea City. Some others are likely to follow them out the exit door.
Kasper Schmeichel has retired following his injury travails of last season and that leaves only Viljami Sinisalo as a senior goalkeeper on the books.
Former Scotland international Paul Dickov feels Angus Gunn, currently in North America for the World Cup, will be on the radar following his release from Nottingham Forest.
Asked that question, he told the Daily Record: “Yes, he will be. Angus' last couple of seasons have been very unfortunate with Nottingham Forest.
"We all know the merry-go-round of managers who were there. A new manager comes in and wants to bring his own players in and has his own ideas.
"The circumstances of Angus’ move didn’t help. The one thing that can never be questioned is his performance in a Scotland shirt.
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"He’s been outstanding every time he's been called upon, even more so, considering that he's not been playing regular first-team football.
"Angus will be looking to perform at the World Cup first and foremost for Scotland, for his country, and for himself.
“What better place to put yourself than Scotland? There's going to be a lot of clubs watching, and if he can manage to have a good tournament, there won’t just be one or two clubs that will be interested. There'll be a lot of suitors for him.”
Another member of Steve Clarke's squad who ould also be available on a free is striker Ross Stewart.
He is currently embroiled in a messy situation with Southampton - the club held an extension option on his contract but missed the deadline due to the uncertainty around their 'Spygate' situation and which division they would be playing in. They are now trying to extend it but lawyers are looking at the situation.
Should he be available, Dickov picked him out as another Celtic should be jumping at.
He added: “Ross has got a lot of qualities, his size, his strength, he’s very quick. What's rare in a centre forward nowadays is that he wants to run in behind as well.
"He’s different to what Celtic have got. If he is going to leave Southampton, there will be a lot of clubs that will be interested in him.
"It shows you, purely on the back of an FA Cup run, the exposure it can give you. He did ever so well in the Arsenal game and did well against Manchester City.
