STALYBRIDGE Celtic manager Chris Wilcock would like to clone new signing and captain Tom Miller.
“If we had two or three others like Tom, to add to the players I have already brought in, that would help us massively,” he said.
“Tom has a wealth of experience having played more than 300 games as a professional and he is a leader, both inside and outside the dressing room.
“I am still networking and looking to improve the quality of our squad.”
Miller, 32, who has played for Newport County, Lincoln City, Carlisle United and Bury, is one of seven signings made since the last week of pre-season.
They include Moses Yoak, who was captain at North West Counties League club Longridge Town and another potential leader.
Willcock said: “Moses has never played at this level before, but he is someone I have monitored for some time.
“He has scored a lot of goals from midfield, is a good athlete and is good on the ball.
“Moses is a great talker and communicator, and he is here to enhance what Tom is about in terms of leadership.
“He is a rough diamond we hopefully we can polish him and help him to kick on.”
Willcock has also signed midfielder Cesaire Lingouba, 26, from Witton Albion, explaining he adds experience from playing at this level.
There is a familiar face returning, Matty Liptrott, 19, who had a loan spell with Celtic from Blackpool last season.
“Everyone spoke highly of him from his time here and when the opportunity came to add him to the squad, following his release by Blackpool, I took it,” explained Willcock.
Celtic have also signed striker Tinashe Chakwama, 20, who was recently released by Burnley having had one year as a pro.
“Tinashe came in pre-season to train with us, and we liked what we saw,” said Willcock.
Willcock has also signed Stephen Jack, a versatile player who can play in a variety of defensive and midfield roles.
Jack, who had been at Irlam Town, had also featured for Lincoln United.
“He is somebody I have had an eye on for some time. He would have come in sooner but for work commitments,” explained Willcock.
The other signing as been midfielder Dave Edwards who has been promoted from Celtic Under-21s.
Edwards did pre-season with the first team and impressed sufficiently to be signed on.
He will remain with the U21s and there is every likelihood he will be loaned to a club in the North West Counties League on dual forms to get experience.
“I think the latest signings provide us with a good balance,” said Willock.
“Tom and Cesaire give us experience while Moses, Matty, Tinashe and Dave provide potential.”
While Celtic are tight defensively with three clean sheets in the last four games, Willock is now looking to sharpen up at the opposite end of the pitch, targeting creative players.
“I have made offers for a couple of players, but they have not materialised, but I will continue to network,” he said.
• Two players have left the club, central defenders Harli Dewhurst and Derek Ubah.
Dewhurst, a close season signing, has returned to former club Kendal Town as he was finding the commute from his home in Preston too challenging.
Ubah, who remained from last season, was released after failing to impress Willcock.