Kasper Schmeichel is one of four Celtic players out of contract in 2026.
A major rebuild is expected and that will mean some tough decisions will have to be made.
That will include potentially saying goodbye to Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate, among others, but an easier place to start is with the quartet who have deals expiring at the end of the season.
So, with that, here are the choices that 67 Hail Hail have made when it comes to the four permanent players out of contract this summer.
Should Celtic extend Kasper Schmeichel’s contract?
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Kasper Schmeichel – Don’t extend
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Kasper Schmeichel is the first casualty of the four.
The 39-year-old was excellent in his first season but has been caught out too many times this year.
Schmeichel has come in for criticism and seems to be a second or two slower at reacting to decisions.
He was the perfect stopgap after the success of Joe Hart, but now it is time to find a younger, fresher option.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – Extend
It’s early days but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has already shown enough to suggest that he could play a part going forward.
Oxlade-Chamberlain scored on his debut against Livingston and will take some time to get up to full speed in terms of match fitness.
What can’t be ignored, however, is that the 32-year-old is a cut above in terms of technical ability in comparison to some of his peers and his know-how of winning trophies can rub off on the younger members of the squad.
James Forrest – Extend
At this stage it would feel wrong to deny James Forrest the chance to finish his career at his boyhood club.
Forrest should really be a bit-part player, but has regularly come off the bench under Martin O’Neill and is still seen as a reliable option.
Having somebody who has been around the block is vital and if he wants to stay, he should be offered a new deal.
Do you consider James Forrest as a Celtic legend?
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Kelechi Iheanacho – Don’t extend
A post-deadline day panic signing in the summer, Kelechi Iheanacho should not be getting a new deal.
He has had a few moments of excitement in the green and white shirt, scoring against Kilmarnock on his debut and in the Europa League.
Injuries have plagued his time in Glasgow though and he is now further down in the pecking order. Move him on and use the wages elsewhere.
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