Celtic pair given Brendan Rodgers blessing to leave club and play regular football elsewhere

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Brendan Rodgers discussed a number of players individually after Celtic beat Queen’s Park.

The Hoops kicked off their pre-season friendlies schedule for the summer with a deserved 1-0 victory over the Spiders in Mount Florida.

Johnny Kenny scored the only goal of the game, and Rodgers confirmed Kenny’s future is undecided after a bid of £500k from Bolton Wanderers was rejected.

Rodgers also touched on Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate, stating that both are fit enough to train after respective injuries.

The Celtic manager was also asked by the press about defenders Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke.

• READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers has ‘spoken to a few’ clubs over potential Celtic loan exit

Rodgers addresses Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke

Nawrocki is set for Hannover 96 after a season-long loan move was agreed with Celtic, while Lagerbielke is close to signing for Braga.

Two players who Rodgers clearly does not fancy, he explained that the pair need to leave the Hoops and play regular football.

He said: “Yeah, I think the likes of him (Nawrocki) and Gus are players that…obviously Gus has been out last year (on loan to FC Twente). He’ll want to continue playing.

“Maik’s never really consistently been able to stay fit and really take that spot. This time last year, he started the game for us and it happened. He got injured and was out for a number of weeks.

“So, he’s had a couple of years where he hasn’t quite got the games that he would have liked. So, it’s important that he goes out and play.”

Does that open the door for Dane Murray?

Rodgers will see Nawrocki and Lagerbielke leave this summer, and he has confirmed Celtic will seek a new central defender between now and the rest of the window.

But it could mean more opportunities for young Dane Murray, who made three senior appearances last season.

Rodgers said: “I always look from within. Obviously, we have Dane here. We’ve got Auston. We’ve got Scales. I think we’ll definitely look to bring in another one. But I would always look for our own first.

“Hopefully, if Dane can stay fit and be available, then he’s one that can be in and around it.”