While Brendan Rodgers has been keen to stress it’s a ‘clean slate’ for the majority of the Celtic squad heading into the new season, three players remain completely frozen out at the Bhoys.
Some squad members who struggled for starts last term have featured heavily in pre-season and positioned themselves to play a part over the coming season. Rodgers has even been left impressed with one or two of them, such as David Turnbull who has netted twice from midfield.
However, the same can’t be said for Albian Ajeti, Ismaila Soro and James McCarthy – who haven’t been seen at all this summer and all of whom look set to hit the exit door before the end of August.
Football Scotland reports all three are on the ‘outgoing list’ at Celtic and will be allowed to leave if there are any interested parties. All of them will be allowed to leave on a loan or permanent basis, with no scope for them working their way into Rodgers’ plans.
Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Be’er Sheva are said to be keen on Soro, so that move might transpire before the others. Soro is on the radar of Israeli clubs having made 69 appearances for Bnei Yehuda before signing up at Celtic.
So far there haven’t been many reports about the other two. And Ajeti may even be carrying an injury from his time on loan at Sturm Graz last season. McCarthy meanwhile hasn’t managed to string together consistent form for years.
That means it may not be entirely straightforward to part with them. It was reported by The Scottish Daily Mail last month that Ajeti had even rejected the chance to have his contract paid off in a similar manner to Vasilis Barkas, who has since signed for FC Utrecht.
What’s clear, given their lack of participation in any capacity under Rodgers during pre-season friendlies, is that none of them are likely to play in the Hoops again.
It really is the best thing for their careers if they are open to moves this month, otherwise, they’ll just be sitting on the sidelines at Celtic and finding it ever harder to convince a club to take a chance on them.
In other news, Video: Celtic take part in Sky Sports crossbar challenge at Lennoxtown.
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