‘Makes it difficult’ – Brendan Rodgers delivers update on Celtic outcasts Stephen Welsh and Marco Tilio

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Celtic need to sign players and fast.

The Hoops have been floundering in the transfer market this August and are running out of time to complete the necessary business required.

Celtic need two new wingers, a left-back and arguably another quality striker if they are to compete in domestic and European fronts this season.

That is the main priority behind the scenes, but the Bhoys will need to find suitors for two players who are destined to leave on loan this summer.

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Rodgers wants the ‘right loans’ for Welsh and Tilio

Stephen Welsh will exit on loan, as will winger Marco Tilio. Welsh has been targeted by Plymouth Argyle and is the subject of a loan to buy offer.

Meanwhile, Aussie outcast Tilio is wanted by Rapid Wien. A loan deal is said to have been agreed, but Celtic won’t sanction the exit until they can guarantee a replacement.

Rodgers was quizzed at his press conference on Tuesday about Welsh and Tilio as the Celtic boss offered an update.

He told reporters: “Yeah, well what makes it difficult is that there’s selling a player and loaning a player. And obviously we only have a certain amount of loans.

“So there’s six loans internationally that the boys can go out. So then you have to look at it, then who is to go out. And sometimes clubs will offer to buy a player, and they’ll offer to loan a player.

“We have to make sure that it is the right loan. And the two boys you mentioned have been great and they have had opportunities to move on and I hope for them that they get the chance to do that.

“But there’s a little bit more behind the scenes that needs to happen for that to take place.”

Welsh and Tilio’s Celtic contracts

Both Welsh and Tilio have no long-term futures with Celtic, yet they are contracted at the club until 2027 and 2028 respectively.

Welsh signed a new four-year contract extension in 2023 as Rodgers talked the player up. But since then, he hasn’t been able to make a real impact.

Tilio came from Melbourne City, but he’s spent more time in Australia out on loan since signing for Celtic in the summer of 2023.

He’s only played two competitive first-team games for the Hoops, and it’s clear Rodgers does not fancy him.