The summer transfer window is drawing ever closer, and Celtic are facing a rebuild.
Celtic face a major rebuilding job this summer, with a host of players set to leave the club unless there are changes of heart in the coming weeks.
There’s also a decision to make in the dugout, as Celtic don’t yet have a permanent manager in charge, as Neil Lennon remains the interim boss after Brendan Rodgers’ exit.
Celtic need to get business done quickly ahead of Champions League qualifiers, and with that in mind, here’s a five-point plan for Celtic’s summer window…
1. Sign at least one right back
Mikael Lustig and Cristian Gamboa are both out of contract this summer, and it’s clear that Borussia Dortmund loanee Jeremy Toljan won’t be signed permanently. With three right backs potentially leaving the club this summer, Celtic must make a new right back their top priority in the window this summer – and they may need more than one given the outgoings.
2. Replace Boyata and Benkovic quickly
Centre back is another issue for Celtic, as Dedryck Boyata is moving on when his contract expires, and Filip Benkovic is returning to Leicester City when his loan ends. Two centre backs are going, and no money is coming in for them. That’s an issue for Celtic, and whilst Kristoffer Ajer is showing real promise, Celtic need to move quickly to get defensive options in ahead of the Champions League qualifiers.
3. Send the loanees back, with no return
Toljan is just one of a number of loanees that shouldn’t be kept on. Benkovic won’t be staying, and the likes of Oliver Burke, Timothy Weah and Toljan should be sent back to their parent clubs, whilst Daniel Arzani’s situation should be reviewed after a lost season through injury. These loan players have offered little to Celtic of late, and should be replaced this summer.
4. Bring in another striker whilst loaning Bayo out
Odsonne Edouard has stepped up this season, with Leigh Griffiths only just back from a personal absence and January signing Vakoun Issouf Bayo yet to make a first start. Bringing in another experienced striker should be on the Celtic wish list, whilst loaning Ivorian Bayo out for some first-team football may be wise given his slow start to life as a Celtic player.
5. Offload veteran misfits
Celtic have a number of experienced players, but some of them aren’t even featuring under Neil Lennon. It’s time for the likes of Dorus de Vries, Cristian Gamboa and Marvin Compper to move on, with Craig Gordon and Mikael Lustig potentially fitting that bill too. Celtic should be looking to get youngster around the pitch, and this summer presents a great opportunity to do just that.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
