Celtic have completed the signing of Liverpool defender Nat Phillips on-loan until January.
Brendan Rodgers has moved for the 26-year-old centre-back to ease injury worries in his backline, with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki and Stephen Welsh all sidelined.
Phillips could go straight into the Celtic side to face Rangers in Sunday's first derby showdown of the season at Ibrox. The towering joins initially on a short-term loan, but it's believed there is scope to extend his stay at Parkhead beyond the New Year.
His arrival is another timely boost for Rodgers after the club announced the capture of Aris winger Luis Palma on a five-year contract on Wednesday night. It's expected further signings will follow before Friday evening's deadline.
Phillips, who has made 70 appearances for Liverpool, admitted the prospect of a move to a 'huge club' in Celtic was instantly exciting, revealing he had other options on the table.
“I’m really excited. When I heard about the interest it was one that got me excited.
"There were a few other options that didn’t quite make me feel the same as this one did, so I was really keen to get it over the line and I’m delighted to be here now.
“It’s the history of the club.
"It’s such a huge club, the club’s aspirations, the level it competes at, the fact that they’re in the Champions League this year and the mentality of the club – they want to be winners in everything they do.”
Rodgers, meanwhile, expressed his delight at securing some much-needed cover.
“We’re delighted to bring Nat to Celtic and we’re looking forward to working with him in the months ahead," said the manager.
"It’s been well-documented that it’s an area of the team we needed to look at in the short-term due to a number of injuries we have experienced, and so we’re pleased that Nat will provide that defensive support in the squad.
"Nat arrives with the experience of having played for another huge club in Liverpool and those experiences will serve him well here at Celtic.
"I know that he’s delighted with this move and is looking forward to working with the rest of the squad here.”
