The size of the Celtic squad is set to naturally reduce over the next few weeks as players leave the club to seek regular football elsewhere, Brendan Rodgers has stated.
For all the desire of supporters to make new signings, the squad size at the champions is actually pretty big already. There are more than a few who are on the books but are unlikely to get game time.
Rodgers has already had honest conversations with the majority and now expects some to leave, while he goes about the business of strengthening some key positions.
The Celtic boss said [The Herald]: “There will be a natural feel to the squad in the next number of weeks. Most of the players are clear on where they stand, there’s still a bit of time in the window. They wanted to come in and have a chance to work with the new manager, and obviously for me to assess them and lots of the players understand where they’re at, in terms of the opportunities they’ll have here.
“I like to be open with them about where they’re at, so that if they do decide to stay, they understand the conditions they’re working in. But there are some players, and it happens at every club, who haven’t quite pushed on, but then all of a sudden something happens and the world changes for them. I like to see that player, I like to work with that player. In terms of the group, it’ll work itself.
“There were some young players brought in at the beginning of the window based around the possibility that players might leave. Even if they don’t, they still have potential to grow. We don’t need them ready now, but hopefully they can grow over the next couple of seasons.
“Everyone will know where they stand. If someone doesn’t fit into what I’m doing, or not into the program, they’ll have the opportunity to leave. If they decide to stay, they will be respected. Their game time might be limited, but they won’t be wandering. I’ve had open conversations with a number of guys already, so they know where they fit, they know that they’re a part of the squad. If they want more game-time they may have to look elsewhere.”
Albian Ajeti, Ismaila Soro and James McCarthy are all major contenders to leave having not been part of pre-season friendlies or preparations.
But there are others, such as Stephen Welsh and Liam Scales, who may not earn many minutes over the coming campaign. Youngsters like Ben Summers, Bosun Lawal and Rocco Vata could also do with a development loan somewhere rather than playing Lowland League football.
And what of David Turnbull? He’s had an impressive pre-season but with less than a year left on his contract, something could shift there, too.
Reducing bloat in the squad will be important over the next few weeks, especially if Rodgers intends to bolster the squad with two or three quality first-team options before the window shuts.
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