Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers might have to sell before he can buy in January, and here’s three men who should be on the shelf.
The January transfer window isn’t far away now and Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will surely be as active anybody throughout the next month.
Celtic have a two-legged affair with Zenit St Petersburg in the last 32 of the Europa League to look forward to and their progress in that competition will likely hinge on what Rodgers does in January.
In order to bring players in, however, the Northern Irishman might have to let a few go and here is a list of some men who should be sold.
Erik Sviatchenko
The 26-year-old centre-back was linked with a £3 million move to Copenhagen during the summer transfer window which never materialised, but a knee ligament injury, which he has recovered from, saw that speculation fizzle out and it wouldn’t be a major surprise to see the Danish side renew an interest in January.
Sviatchenko is behind Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Simunovic in the pecking order at Celtic and Rodgers might well bolster his centre-back options ahead of the Europa League adventure.
If that £3 million (as reported by The Express) is still on the table, Rodgers shouldn’t think twice.
Dorus De Vries
The Dutch goalkeeper has played one Celtic game in all competitions since September 2016. Dislodging Craig Gordon as Rodgers’ first-choice option between the sticks seem unlikely at this stage and few Celtic fans could blame the manager if he let him go.
He only signed a new contract earlier this season, but at 36, the former Swansea City keeper, who turns 37 on Friday, isn’t a long-term option and perhaps it’s time that Gordon is given better competition, either by promoting somebody from the academy – potentially Conor Hazard – or by signing someone else.
Jonny Hayes
Rodgers spent £1.3 million on bringing in the Irish winger from Aberdeen, but it hasn’t worked out.
The 30-year-old, who was the only non-Celtic player in the reckoning for the Player of the Year awards last season, has scored once in 13 appearances for the Hoops and although Patrick Roberts’s injury means his importance has increased a little, there are still far better options out there and James Forrest’s form means that he won’t be playing regularly.
His first goal came on Saturday against his former club, but if he doesn’t kick on from it in a big way then Rodgers could and should axe him.
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