Frimpong and O’Connor deals leave Bauer’s long-term future in question

Follow us on Google Discover

Celtic signed Moritz Bauer from Stoke City last month.

Celtic were busy late in the transfer window, continuing to rebuild their full back ranks having seen Anthony Ralston, Mikael Lustig, Cristian Gamboa, Kieran Tierney and Emilio Izaguirre.

The last day of the transfer window saw Celtic sign three more full backs, as Greg Taylor arrived to challenge Boli Bolingoli on the left of Neil Lennon’s defence.

Moritz Bauer arrived from Stoke City last month, joining on loan to serve as competition for Hatem Abd Elhamed at right back – but his long-term future at Parkhead may already be in question.

That seems like a bizarre thing to say, as Bauer has made just the one appearance for Celtic so far, but Celtic appear to be planning for the right back spot long term.

Their last two deals of the summer window saw two young right backs arrive permanently in Jeremie Frimpong and Lee O’Connor, arriving from Manchester City and Manchester United respectively.

O’Connor is particularly highly rated and backed for a huge future, but signing two right backs may just hint at the pair being brought in to compete once 27-year-old Bauer’s loan deal is over.

Celtic have no commitment to buy Bauer next summer, and whilst the option is there for a permanent move, the Austrian may simply be experienced cover for a year whilst O’Connor and Frimpong adjust to life in Scotland.

Bauer has bags of time to prove that he’s worth a permanent deal, but Celtic would then have Bauer, Elhamed, O’Connor and Frimpong, as well as returning loanees Ralston and Manny Perez.

Ralston would be the favourite to go, but given that Bauer is only on loan and two younger options have just been signed, it’s reasonable to wonder whether Celtic are already just viewing Bauer as cover for one season before letting him return to Stoke.

It’s hard to see Celtic carrying four or five right backs long-term, and with the others tied down to contracts, Bauer may already by fighting for his Celtic future despite only just arriving.