Celtic are currently focused on their efforts to see out this campaign in the strongest manner possible; however, attention will soon turn to our summer transfer business.
Movement is expected in both directions once the window rolls around, though it remains to be seen who Brendan Rodgers decides to keep or discard from his existing playing squad.
Of course, it may not be easy to keep the likes of Matt O’Riley, given heavy interest in his services from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid earlier this year.
The Denmark international will have aspirations of reaching the top level in his career alongside being an attractive homegrown option for clubs in the Premier League.
Beyond that, we also need to make permanent decisions on the future of loanees Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo, with the latter mooted to have a buyout stipulation worth £6.4 million in his agreement.
Decisions are there to be made for Rodgers this summer, though some of his recent comments may pique the interest of Celtic fans as we edge closer to the end of the campaign.
Brendan Rodgers’ comments on Celtic squad size
While discussing Hyeokkyu Kwon’s impact on loan at St Mirren, Rodgers made an intriguing observation that planted the seed he could be set to trim further bodies from his squad this summer.
He stated: “I spoke to Stephen (Robinson); he needed game time with the squad being too big here. He is a talented player, and hopefully, he has gone and shown that, and the guys are really delighted with him there”
From that otherwise normal passage of quotes, the ‘squad being too big here’ excerpt stands out as a point worth discussing from a Celtic point of view.
Rodgers has previously signalled a desire to have a squad size of around 25 players with three goalkeepers intact, so that does beg the question, who could leave the Bhoys this summer?
Evaluating the main candidates to leave Celtic this summer
It makes sense to start with loanees, and it doesn’t seem like Marco Tilio has a long-term future at Parkhead following his move to Melbourne City in January after just two cameo appearances for the club.
Come the summer, there may never be a better opportunity to cash in on Republic of Ireland international Mikey Johnston. In a blistering start to life at West Bromwich Albion, the 24-year-old has registered six goals and one assist in ten matches.
Reports suggest that Celtic could be open to selling the academy product, and it may be worth striking while the iron is hot in that respect.
Last month, Rodgers claimed that goalkeepers Scott Bain and Benjamin Siegrist could follow the soon-retiring Joe Hart in seeking new pastures [Sky Sports].
On the same token, Alexandro Bernabei and Gustaf Lagerbielke are unlikely to work their way back into his plans, with the former now on loan at Internacional for the remainder of 2024.
Yuki Kobayashi and James McCarthy are now almost the forgotten men of Lennoxtown and seem to be on borrowed time.
Lastly, Rocco Vata is a target for multiple clubs, including AC Milan, amid his contract expiration this summer, whereas prominent central Liam Scales is out of contract in 2025, which may become a problem if he doesn’t commit his future to the club before too long.
There may be a long-term strategy behind any Celtic squad cull
Despite the fact Celtic have financial riches that dwarf most of Scotland’s other clubs, Rodgers has made his wish known to blood homegrown talent that has been cultivated at Lennoxtown.
Cutting fringe players out where necessary will be a crucial element of his long-term strategy to ensure we have the space to carry this out.
The Irishman stated in January: “I’m conscious here. I want to be here for a period of time as long as, of course, I’m successful, so I also want to create an opportunity for young players to come through here.
“Everyone talks about signings and bringing people in, and I always say that you might have someone within your academy, but you need the space for those players to flourish and develop.”
Whatever transpires this summer, it is sure to be another busy transfer period as Celtic build for next season.
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