Remarkably, Celtic are still in the hunt for a domestic double this season.
When you consider the sheer turmoil Martin O’Neill has inherited during his two interim spells this term, it’s frightening to think where the club would be if he hadn’t stepped in.
One thing is for sure: Celtic fans won’t forget what has unfolded during these ten or so months, and they will demand action of the highest order in the summer.
That includes a clearout of players, but Charlie Mulgrew has a list of stars he would keep at Celtic Park next term, including the highly criticised Reo Hatate.
“Hatate. I don’t know if he wants to be there or not,” said Mulgrew.
“He needs to figure out if he wants to be there. If he doesn’t want to be there, then he isn’t one. If he does, then he would be one (to keep).”
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Hatate hasn’t been the same player this season, and yes, he produced two strong Ibrox performances, but he has fallen off big time.
But the all-action midfielder isn’t the only one. Daizen Maeda has looked off-colour, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if sections of the Celtic support want them gone in the summer.
Yes, the domestic double can still be secured, but this season is the biggest warning sign that a major clearout, from the boardroom to the training ground, is needed.
As Mulgrew mentioned, some might speak for themselves because, if Hatate asks to leave, then just let it flow and let him go.
But before all of that can happen, the right people need to be put in place to determine who is going to be Celtic’s next manager. And who will run the dreaded transfer ship?
Either way, Mulgrew named the Celtic stars he would keep, with some obvious mentions, such as captain Callum McGregor, but he also included all of the backline, as well as Celtic’s top scorer, Benjamin Nygren.
“What do Celtic need to do in the summer?” questioned Mulgrew on The Breakdown. “Sort the recruitment out. Have a plan. Get a sporting director or a chief executive. Get a new manager.
“Scales, McGregor, Nygren, Tierney, that’s four, Hatate. I don’t know if he wants to be there or not. He needs to figure out if he wants to be there. If he doesn’t want to be there, then he isn’t one. If he does, then he would be one (to keep).
“Trusty, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Jota, Sinisalo, but I would still be looking for another goalkeeper.
“Injuries, bad recruitment, Paul Tisdale is a huge part of that. I think the bigger picture for Celtic in the long-term is the recruitment.
“Celtic have a model where they sign players and eventually move them on. They need to get that sorted because 18 months have been terrible.”
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