Celtic have had a busy transfer so far and have already moved to bring a number of talents to the club in an effort to improve Ange Postecoglou’s squad options.
Josip Juranovic and Moritz Jenz have moved in the other direction with the best wishes of everyone and a few more could be joining them if reports on deadline day are to be believed.
Here’s the current list of departure links hitting various media outlets over the last 48 hours…
Giorgos Giakoumakis
The obvious one is perhaps the biggest departure we’ll see. Giakoumakis is widely reported to be on the brink of a move to Atlanta United in Major League Soccer for a fee hovering around the £4m mark.
67 Hail Hail understands he visited Lennoxtown for the last time yesterday to pick up his personal effects and say his goodbyes, with Atlanta eager to get him signed up with a visa and a contract as soon as possible.
Giakoumakis has made 57 appearances for the Bhoys in total, scoring a healthy 26 goals and becoming a favourite with supporters. He’ll be missed, but should get regular starts he craves elsewhere.
Yosuke Ideguchi
Anthony Joseph of Sky Sports reported earlier today that Celtic are actively looking for loan options for Yosuke Ideguchi, who has had a rough time of it since arriving in Scotland last January.
The Japanese midfielder was immediately hit with injury and fitness issues and has never really managed to force his way into Ange Postecoglou’s plans.
An exit looks like the best option for all parties. With three years left on his contract, we may not have seen the last of him if he does find a loan club, but he needs to be playing at this stage of his career.
Oliver Abildgaard
Abildgaard is another midfield misfit at Celtic Park who has struggled for game time since arriving at the club. The midfield is arguably the most competitive area of Postecoglou’s squad and the Dane hasn’t broken through as a regular.
On a one-year deal which has complicated technicalities due to the situation in Russia with Rubin Kazan, Anthony Joseph reports that Celtic are willing to cut that contract short.
Aalborg in his homeland, where he started his playing career, are said to be keen on his services.
Stephen Welsh
As we discussed yesterday, Welsh is the subject of late loan interest from English League One promotion hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday. A number of clubs from Scotland, England and the USA are said to be keen on his services.
Ange Postecoglou stated late last week that Welsh wasn’t likely to leave but the end of a transfer window can be unpredictable and plans can always change.
On the face of it, a loan move could be good for Welsh who can’t progress if he’s sitting on the sidelines at Celtic. At the moment, he’s finding it difficult to make it into a match squad, never mind the starting eleven.
However, Celtic may well feel he’s needed for cover in the wake of Jenz’s departure to Germany.
Conor Hazard
The Daily Record reported yesterday evening [Live Blog, 18:47] that Scottish Premiership side Ross County were keen on taking Conor Hazard on a loan basis for the remainder of the season.
Hazard is training at Lennoxtown after returning from a successful loan in Helsinki where he was a regular and even won their supporters’ player of the year award.
With his contract not expiring at Celtic until 2024, another batch of experience would be good for him and his career at 24. If he impresses in the Scottish Premiership, it could be a step closer to becoming more prominent at the Bhoys.
In other news, Scottish FA take action on Hampden pitch after Celtic criticism.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
