The loan market and Celtic; it’s not always been a happy marriage, as supporters well know, and as Liam Shaw and Osaze Urhoghide probably have learnt.
For incomings, it’s seen strange, bit-part square pegs arrive to fit square holes in the past. As far as outgoings, we’ve seen plenty of promising talents fail to develop away from Celtic on loan, to come back to a squad that’s moved on without them.
However, with Osaze Urhoghide and Liam Shaw being considered by St Johnstone, they have one shining example to look to; Kristoffer Ajer.
Signed as a midfielder, Ajer arrived from Norway with no small amount of intrigue. However, with Celtic firing on all cylinders and a solid match-day squad settled and successful, Ajer found himself on the fringes. He needed time away, and that came with a short trip to Kilmarnock in the 16-17 season.
It was the making of him. Reinvented as a ball playing centre-back, Ajer came back to Celtic energised and confident. He was part of a decent Killie side, and advanced his career exponentially. Every year after coming back, his appearance numbers increased [Transfermarkt].
Now, of course, he’s a Premier League player with 25 Norway caps to his name. From being somewhat forgotten, Ajer used his chance to the optimum.
Now, Shaw and Urhoghide must consider a move that could be the making of them. Just as it was for Ajer.
For Shaw and Urhoghide, Kristoffer Ajer parallels at Celtic are compelling
The problem with Shaw and Urhoghide, if it is indeed a problem, is that we’re not entirely sure what their best position is. Shaw, at Sheffield Wednesday, played virtually anywhere in the middle, and can act as a centre-back, defensive midfielder or a central midfielder.
For Urhoghide, the issue is similar; is he a right-back or a centre-back?
Playing an extended period of football in one position, like Ajer did, could be crucial in their development. Callum Davidson has shown his ability to craft some gems, and he’s a good coach to learn from. Ali McCann et al will attest to that.
Along with Ajer, of course, there’s another recent example; Leo Fuhr Hjelde was impressive at Ross County, to the point that Leeds United came in for him this summer just past.
The SPFL, specifically the Premiership, can be an excellent education. Fighting relegation can spur players to find the mental resolve they didn’t know they had, and playing in a settled team, on a weekly basis, obviously has enormous benefit.
Not every loan is a Kristoffer Ajer. We know this all too well, and have seen multiple players just drop out of consideration having been away. However, he’s set an excellent precedent. Sometimes to make it at Celtic, or in general, it’s about going somewhere in the midst of a real fight.
That’s where a lot of players find out who they really are. If Shaw and Urhoghide aren’t in Celtic’s plans, it’s something they ought to embrace. That is, if it comes to fruition.
Again, not every player can be Ajer. But he’s the standard to look to for fringe players seeking loan opportunities. He was on the fringes and became a star.
Shaw and Urhoghide might be hoping for a similar path.
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