Report: Postecoglou to freeze £15k-a-week man out of Celtic first-team after failed transfer

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Ange Postecoglou has no intention of using Boli Bolingoli in the Celtic first-team this season after the defender failed to secure a move away this summer, according to The Athletic.

Bolingoli will remain in Glasgow, until at least January, after he returned to Parkhead at the end of last term. Neil Lennon loaned the left-back to Istanbul Basaksehir last September as punishment for the 26-year-old breaching coronavirus protocols.

Without informing Celtic, Bolingoli travelled to Spain for one night before featuring against Kilmarnock without quarantining on his return. The Hoops described the breach as ‘utterly unacceptable’, via the BBC, while Bolingoli apologised for his ‘error of judgement’.

Postecoglou is yet to award Bolingoli any competitive appearances since replacing Lennon at Celtic this summer. The Hoops boss does not intend to revert his initial decision, either, and will continue freezing the £15,000-per-week full-back out.

Postecoglou has already overlooked Bolingoli despite losing regular first-choice Greg Taylor to a shoulder injury. Instead, he has utilised 19-year-old winger Adam Montgomery and £2.5m right-back signing Josip Juranovic in the role recently.

Bolingoli, who joined Celtic in 2019 for £3m, has made 29 appearances for the Premiership outfit, assisting four goals. The Congo-born, former Belgium U16 international did not offer any goals or assists in 18 outings with Istanbul Basaksehir.

A knee injury that required surgery seriously derailed his time at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium, having missed four months. Bolingoli made the final six of his Super Lig outings after returning to action in April to help avoid relegation.

Should Postecoglou offer Bolingoli a second chance at Celtic?

Postecoglou likely hoped Bolingoli would leave Celtic in the off-season, but no club proved able to strike a deal. The Daily Record note Istanbul Basaksehir declined their option to buy him, while interest from Altay SK failed to materialise.

Now, Bolingoli will likely spend the next four months – at least – out in the wilderness, if Postecoglou refuses to hand him a second chance at Celtic. Which certainly seems to be the case, with Montgomery and Juranovic recently deployed at left-back.