Marian Shved will be coming in and likely heading right back out on loan, but who could be leaving for him in the summer?
Brendan Rodgers confirmed after the St Mirren match yesterday that Shved wasn’t being eyed for this season. He also interestingly stated that Celtic have “a million wingers” and don’t need another one.
It wasn’t the best comment for the player to hear upon his Parkhead arrival. It pretty much confirms the manager has no interest in him at the present time. But it’ll also be a great test of his mentality.
Yet, someone will seemingly have to go in the summer for Shved to be taken on. Judging by Rodgers’ comments, he doesn’t want the same number of wingers competing for places when Shved comes in.
So who could Rodgers be wanting to offload?
Jonny Hayes
It seems that Jonny Hayes has pretty much started becoming Celtic’ utility man in recent times. Whenever things get desperate (the left-back situation), Rodgers has occasionally opted to throw the Irishman in there.
But there’s no denying he’s absolutely nowhere the first-team reckoning in terms of a wide spot. With just seven outings to his name this season and at 31-years of age, Hayes is simply around in case the situation gets desperate.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
Surely, if a viable offer comes in for the former Aberdeen man – he’ll be off. He hasn’t done enough to earn an extended stay at Parkhead, and isn’t particularly needed for any position at this moment in time.
Considering Hayes often plays down the right, he would be a direct opponent to Shved.
But his good relationship with Rodgers means he could very well stay. The manager seems to love having Hayes around, and constantly praises his impact and versatility.
Lewis Morgan
Another of the unlikely candidates is young Lewis Morgan.
Again, Morgan has often been substituted on down the right for James Forrest this season. That’s in the rare outings he actually gets a game.
Morgan has found the step-up from St Mirren to Celtic extremely difficult. He doesn’t have the same level of confidence playing in green-and-white, and is trying too hard to make an impression when he is on the field.
Rodgers plans to send him out on loan this month, and you have to imagine he still has long-term plans for Morgan.
But there’s always the outside chance he just hasn’t been impressed, and a good loan spell elsewhere could prompt some offers that Celtic could be interested in. Shved to take over from Morgan? Don’t be too surprised.
Oliver Burke
Of course, it could just be the case that the manager will let on-loan man Oliver Burke head back.
Burke departs back to West Bromwich Albion at the end of the season. The Baggies are also extremely keen to bring him back regardless of how well he does at Parkhead.
Considering the fact Burke cost West Brom £15million, they won’t be willing to just let that investment go.
Naturally, Burke is a right-winger. He’ll automatically be off at the end of the season, and thus open up a spot for Shved.
But Rodgers hasn’t featured Burke down the right in any of his two games so far. Whether he actually views him as a right-winger is doubtful, and whether he was thinking of Burke when speaking about competition for Shved is also unlikely.
Do you think Rodgers will be thinking of letting any of these players go in the summer? Or is there any others you think Celtic will part ways with? One thing’s for sure – Rodgers wants competition trimmed before Shved arrives.