Celtic have endured a torrid campaign that most of the Parkhead faithful will be glad to see the back of.
Enduring a first trophyless campaign since 2009/10, the Hoops still have four league fixtures to fulfil against Aberdeen, Rangers, St Johnstone and Hibernian [BBC Sport]. In reality, these games in a material sense mean very little other than positive momentum.
Despite this, they present a good opportunity to test fringe players and give them minutes ahead of next season. Here are three players who should be given an opportunity before season 2020/21 draws to a close.
Albian Ajeti
Probably the most predictable name on this list, the Swiss striker has endured a frustrating time in Glasgow the past year. Acquired for £5 million from West Ham United last summer [Sky Sports]. The 24-year-old initially looked to be an inspired bit of business, registering 5 goals in his first 6 Scottish Premiership outings [Transfermarkt].
Since then, he has only mustered a solitary strike away to Kilmarnock in February [SPFL]. Evidently an instinctive poacher, he has struggled with injury niggles that have plagued his Parkhead career thus far [Daily Record]. Due to the scale of the rebuild at Celtic, Ajeti must be given a chance to prove his worth free from setbacks.
In his time in the game, he has notched a healthy 93 goals in 260 appearances [Transfermarkt]. Incorporated into the correct system, the Switzerland international can still be a success at the Hoops. Restricted to featuring mainly as a substitute this campaign, he still carries a goal contribution rate of one in three this season [Transfermarkt].
He should be granted an opening in the next four games to demonstrate his goal-scoring prowess.
Adam Montgomery
Lesser heralded amongst the Bhoys support, Celtic could do a lot worse than to give the youngster a first-string bow. Predominantly a left-back, he has been drafted into the senior squad lately after impressing interim manager John Kennedy. He used to be a striker and was registered as one on the official club website until as of recently.
Counterpart Diego Laxalt is likely to depart for parent club Milan, whilst Greg Taylor only freshly back from injury. Why shouldn’t we give the budding 18-year-old a chance? Fundamentally, Celtic have to find a way of granting youth prospect the spotlight to shine in the first team. It would make sense to do this in a low-pressure environment
Besides, we all remember what happened the last time we let an 18-year-old left-back play a prominent role in the Celtic side.
Vasilis Barkas
Lastly, perhaps the most contentious name on this list is Greek international Vasilis Barkas. Brought in for £4.5 million from AEK Athens last July [BBC Sport], he divides opinion from fans and pundits alike.
Celtic face a goalkeeping conundrum of sizeable proportion, with none of Scott Bain, Conor Hazard or Barkas having been able to nail down the number one jersey. A man of evident pedigree, the Hoops cannot let their considerable outlay on him go to waste. Interestingly, he has only conceded 10 goals in 13 Scottish Premiership encounters [Soccerbase]. Letting in less than a goal a game, he kept five clean sheets in his first nine contests before succumbing to injury [Transfermarkt].
Nobody is stating the Greece international has had it easy in Glasgow. Nevertheless, his opportunities at Celtic have been extremely limited of late. Additionally, his Scottish Premiership pass success rate stands at an encouraging 86.9% [WhoScored]. Should the new manager prefer possession-based football, Barkas may still have a future at Celtic.
The Celts could do a lot worse than allowing him to stake his claim in these upcoming fixtures.
In other news, Sky Sports pundit claims Celtic want to join European Super League.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
