With a number of big names being linked with a move away, the Celtic side may be slightly different to what we have been used to over the last few seasons.
It is safe to say that Brendan Rodgers has completely transformed Celtic as a club from the days of Ronny Deila’s tenure, when the side could barely qualify for the Europa League let alone the Champions League.
Last season’s historic treble-winning campaign was one of the finest in the club’s recent history and by far the best since Rangers entered administration back in 2012.
A number of key signings, plus the emergence of some existing Celts, were at the root of the club’s rejuvenation. However, with a number of those names having been linked with a move away from Glasgow, the team may look fairly different when they line up to begin the new campaign.
There are question marks whether existing stalwarts such as Craig Gordon can get back into the side following his lengthy injury lay off, especially if the Hoops manage to land Scott Bain on a permanent deal. Mikael Lustig has been shaky for the entire season and may well be plying his trade elsewhere next term, while Patrick Roberts will almost certainly be returning to Manchester City for good, following two and a half seasons on loan at Parkhead.
With all this said, how will the Celtic team likely line up come August?
Should Celtic land Bain’s permanent signature after his loan deal expires in May, the Dundee man will almost certainly start in goal over the 35-year-old Craig Gordon and out-of-place Dorus de Vries.
Assuming the club can hold on to their star man, who has recently emerged as a genuine target for Manchester United, Kieran Tierney will start at left-back as arguably the first name on the team sheet.
Centre-half has been a huge talking point for the Hoops this season, with each of the club’s options demonstrating some questionable performances at the back. However, Kristoffer Ajer has emerged as a genuine contender for a starting position in the heart of defence and, at 19, he has his entire career ahead of him and will only improve with more minutes on the pitch. Jack Hendry, despite only featuring five times so far, will be sure to kick on from his first half season, and will likely be given the chance to form a partnership with Ajer come the start of next season.
Right-back has also been a real issue for the Celts this term, with Lustig’s form having severely dipped as mentioned above. Academy graduate Anthony Ralston who recently joined Dundee United on an emergency loan and, if he performs, should have a good chance of being handed a starting place next term.
It is hard to see part Olivier Ntcham and Scott Brown in the midfield, given their quality displays throughout the current campaign. Both players have dominated the rest of the domestic scene and have been useful in Europe on occasions too and simply cannot be overlooked.
James Forrest has grown to become a club stalwart in recent seasons and, as it stands, is by far the club’s most coveted winger, and therefore should start on the right. Assuming the rumours suggesting Scott Sinclair’s departure come true, which have dominated the headlines this week, Chelsea loanee Charly Musonda will likely get his chance on the left.
The youngster remains one of Europe’s brightest talents and has struggled to make an impact on the side this term, but with a pre-season under his belt, the sky if the limit for the 21-year-old.
As always, central attacking midfield will be battled out between Callum McGregor, Stuart Armstrong and Tom Rogic. There is minor doubt over the futures of both Rogic and Armstrong, and therefore, McGregor gets the nod in the team purely down the likelihood of him being a Celtic player after the summer window.
Finally, should the club exercise their permanent purchase option for Odsonne Edouard, having proved himself time and time again this term, the young Frenchman could be handed a chance to lead the line, especially if Moussa Dembele finally leaves after two seasons of solid speculation.
Here is a potential 4-2-3-1 line up for next season, not including any potential new signings currently being linked with the club.
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