The nine players Celtic could still offload before the transfer window closes

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will have plenty on his mind as he looks to shape his squad appropriately for the season in the remainder of the window.

The Bhoys have brought in Paulo Bernardo, Kasper Schmeichel, and Viljami Sinisalo, but supporters’ anguish is beginning to escalate due to a lack of incomings. Flowing through the exit door have gone Hyeongyu Oh, Sead Haksabanovic, Benjamin Siegrist and Joe Hart, clearing space for new additions.

Trimming the group is something Rodgers has spoken about at length since returning to Celtic. He has also emphasised that ‘minimising’ the squad will help him to offer minutes to homegrown youngsters during his second tenure.

He stated earlier in the window: “You might not have a team full of them, but you certainly need to have those home-grown players coming through. If there is not a pathway they end up looking elsewhere. That is why I talk about minimising my squad so that your football strategy really becomes top, high-potential young players.”

With that in mind, here are some of the candidates to leave Celtic this summer amid intense transfer speculation.

Celtic exit candidates this window profiled

First, the central defensive situation at Celtic is one to watch. Yesterday, Anthony Joseph revealed that Celtic have booted out an approach for Stephen Welsh, though the club are open to sanctioning departures in that area of the pitch.

Gustaf Lagerbielke is on the radar of clubs in Italy; meanwhile, St Mirren have emerged as a suitor for out-of-favour Yuki Kobayashi. On the same token, Maik Nawrocki could be allowed to leave on loan amid his injury struggles. Should moves be completed, the Bhoys would look to add to their rearguard.

Into midfield, Matt O’Riley is being heavily courted by Brighton & Hove Albion. Talks have taken place between Celtic and the Seagulls, who are prepared to go over the £25 million mark for the Denmark international.

Presumably, if he did go, the club would be in the reckoning to acquire another central midfielder. Shea Charles of Southampton has been mentioned, so it would be intriguing to see what that could mean for Odin Thiago Holm, Bosun Lawal and Hyeokkyu Kwon.

Previous media claims have suggested that Lawal could go out on loan again, this time in mainland Europe.

Mikey Johnston is still in uncertain waters at Celtic despite featuring in pre-season. He didn’t feature at all against Kilmarnock last weekend, making one wonder if he may be a late-window exit following his shining loan spell at West Bromwich Albion last term.

Dunfermline Athletic have earmarked fringe goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi as a potential loan capture as James McPake seeks reinforcements.

Daniel Kelly’s contract stalemate at Parkhead still hasn’t been resolved. Bayer Leverkusen are among a clutch of clubs keen on the Scotland Under-19 international, but it may be more likely that his situation drags out until nearer the end of his contract in December.