‘He won’t play’ – Open Goal pundits row over Andy Halliday’s prediction about Celtic youngster

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Pre-season gives Brendan Rodgers a chance to assess the younger players in his squad.

Across the first two friendly matches against Queen’s Park and Cork City this summer, plenty of starlets have been given the chance to impress.

Left-back Mitchel Frame played well against the Spiders and did brilliantly in the build-up to Johnny Kenny’s excellent finish.

While Ben Summers and Colby Donovan, who Rodgers singled out, both put smiles on fans’ faces during the 2-1 win over Cork City.

• READ MORE: Exactly why ‘struggling’ Celtic transfer target Michel-Ange Balikwisha missed Antwerp training

Dane Murray backed to enjoy breakthrough Celtic campaign

But it’s Dane Murray who has caught the eye of Motherwell midfielder Andy Halliday and he thinks the defender will enjoy a breakthrough 2025/26 season.

However, former Celtic kid Paul Slane was having none of it and doesn’t think Murray will be given enough game time by Rodgers this season.

Slane picked Sean McArdle as his player to have a breakthrough season, with Halliday hitting back at Slane’s comments about Murray. The Open Goal argument went as follows:

Halliday: “I’m going to go, as it stands, Dane Murray from Celtic.”

Ferry: “Centre-back who was at Queen’s Park (on loan)?”

Slane: “Nah, I don’t think he’ll play, Andy.”

Halliday: “I think as it stands, there’s an opportunity for him. But I do think they’ll sign another centre-half.”

Slane: “He won’t play, I can tell you right now.”

Halliday: “Right well say somebody else then because McArdle can’t get in the team either!”

Murray could yet go out on loan

Murray played the first 45 minutes of the Queen’s Park and Cork City friendly wins, helping keep clean sheets in both halves of football.

He missed the end of last season due to a small operation on his knee, with Rodgers confirming a decision would need to be made about Murray for next season.

Rodgers said in May: “Dane’s one I really, really like. He’s got a lot of attributes. He’s big, he’s got good pace, he’s strong, he’s brave, he’s competitive and he can play.

“So, sadly for him, it’ll be pre-season with him and then again, it’ll be a decision of is he around to play or do we need to get him games?”

That does suggest that a loan for Murray is not off the cards. But with centre-backs Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbileke now away, could that open the door for Murray?