Two out-of-contract players that could solve problem positions at Celtic

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With Celtic yet to announce their first signing of the summer, the fans will be eager to see who Brendan Rodgers will bring in to help strengthen the team for the upcoming Champions League campaign.

The Celtic supporters have been left feeling frustrated at the club’s transfer policy over the last few seasons where quality seems to be getting dismissed for potential but as we discussed this morning, that looks set to change as Rodgers looks to bring in players with proven ability.

With millions of Champions League pounds burning a hole in Celtic’s deep pockets, Rodgers has the financial muscle to pull off a couple of good deals for the club.

But it might not even have to come to that as we identify another two players who are out of contract that could solve problem positions at Celtic.

Danish international defender Jores Okore

Jores Okore is currently out of contract after his contract expired with Chinese Super League side, Changchun Yatai, at the end of last month.

The 31-year-old central defender has experience playing in the English Premier League with Paul Lambert’s Aston Villa and in the Champions League against the likes of Chelsea, Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Okore is also a Danish Super Liga winner and twice a Danish Cup winner and was also a runner-up in the FA Cup with The Villains.

Signed for £4m by Lambert, Okore turned down the opportunity to sign for Chelsea to become Nordsjælland’s most expensive ever sale in their history.

Okore has eight caps for Denmark albeit all earned when he was just 21. Described as a ‘good player‘ by Joleon Lescott, Okore is now out of contract and could provide good cover in the back four alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers at the heart of the Celtic defence.

Three-time Europa League-winning goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo

Sergio Asenjo has a wealth of experience playing in La Liga for the likes of Atletico Madrid, Villareal, Malaga and Real Valladolid.

The 34-year-old Spaniard was capped just once by Spain which is quite incredible when you look at the honours he has won in the game.

A three-time Europa League winner, Asenjo’s European honours were won in 2010 and 2012 with Atletico Madrid and then again in 2021 with Villareal.

Asenjo has also won the UEFA Super Cup with Atletico in 2012 and the Copa Del Rey in 2013.

A winner, the Spanish keeper has suffered his fair share of injuries during his career after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament four times.

However, since 2018 he has suffered just two injuries (a broken finger and a back problem) which saw him miss just five games in total. [Transfermarkt]

Now a free agent, Asenjo has a wealth of European experience that could offer Brendan Rodgers that much-need quality he has been seeking now that Joe Hart has retired.