Celtic have been pretty busy during these last few days.
Several deals have been confirmed, including Kieran Tierney, Ross Doohan, Benjamin Nygren, and the latest being Callum Osmand joining the champions of Scotland.
There is also a lot of noise that centre-back Hayato Inamura will be Celtic’s fifth signing of the summer, as he will join from Japanese side Albirex Niigata.
If that happens, then Celtic and Brendan Rodgers will have to free up some space at the heart of the defence because it’s getting a bit packed now.
Gustaf Lagerbielke, Maik Nawrocki, Stephen Welsh and Dane Murray backed to leave Celtic
Gustaf Lagerbielke and Stephen Welsh were out on loan last season, and you can’t see them changing Rodgers’ mind about getting back into the first team picture.
Scottish journalist Roger Hannah told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard that he thinks Lagerbielke ‘will go to Braga’ after his spell at FC Twente last term.
Added to that, Hannah thinks ‘a deal could be done’ for Nawrocki’s exit, as well as the futures of Welsh and Dane Murray, probably heading towards one conclusion.
“Lagerbielke, I think, will go to Braga,” explained Hannah. “Nawrocki will leave as well, and a deal could be done.
“Stephen Welsh. He is contracted to the club as well, another player who has been there a long time. You never felt that he was a first pick at any stage. Dane Murray is still there as well. Came back in January from Queen’s Park.
“That’s before you look at Carter-Vickers, Scales and Trusty. I think, with all of those centre-halves, you could really do with getting rid of three or four, and then getting someone in who is a nailed-on partner for Cameron Carter-Vickers.”
The disappointment of Lagerbielke and Nawrocki
Lagerbielke and Nawrocki joined Celtic during the summer Rodgers returned to the club, but they haven’t been able to make their desired impact.
The man from Sweden started the 2023/24 season amid injuries, including during Celtic’s 1-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox, but since then, he has hardly been seen, and it is the right time for him to move on.
| Club | Games | Goals | Clean sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celtic | 10 | 1 | 5 |
It’s a different story for Nawrocki, who hasn’t been loaned out during that period, and instead, he has spent more time on the bench or out of the matchday squad.
Despite the Polish star looking good every time he has been provided with a chance, time and time again, he would return to the bench, and just like Lagerbielke, it’s time to move on.
- Games: 18
- Goals: 1
- Clean Sheets: 6
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