There have been many positives to come out of Celtic’s Champions League exit to Bayern Munich.
Even though several players, such as January signing Jeffrey Schlupp, are undercooked, in regards to their lack of game time this season, they still put on quite the show in Bavaria and deserved so much more.
In the first leg, Brendan Rodgers kept his deadline-day loan capture from Crystal Palace on the bench and Greg Taylor started.
But then, the Celtic manager switched it up for the return leg and Schlupp came up against Michael Olise – a man he knows very well given that they shared a dressing room together for several years at Palace.
The 32-year-old was outstanding on the night and many are wondering why Rodgers didn’t start him at Celtic Park because it probably would have made a big difference, especially given that Olise opened the scoring in this two-legged playoff tie.
Either way, the Celtic faithful have now seen a fair bit of Schlupp and many like what they are watching from the Ghana international.
Jeffrey Schlupp on his Celtic future after loan move from Crystal Palace
Greg Taylor is out of contract in the summer and Kieran Tierney will return to Celtic, so as things stand, Rodgers will need another left-back for next season.
Many will point towards the new man in the building because, from the few games that he has played so far, he is impressing and winning over the fans.
Schlupp has shared that ‘everybody’ is asking about his Celtic future and how life in Glasgow has ‘exceeded expectations’, as he told Celtic TV.
“I mean, everyone is sort of asking that question,” said Schlupp about his future. “Again, I have come here on loan until the end of the season. Anything beyond that is out of my control, at the minute.
“So, just have to focus on the league, for now. I want to win the league and the cup, then whatever will be, will be.
“Amazing (experience). I have come over here to get some game time, but knowing that the squad is flying, at the minute, anyway. To be able to have played this much, so soon, is massive.
“Also, pretty much all the games have been at home, which has been great as well. I have loved going out there in front of the fans at Celtic Park. Everybody knows the history behind it.
“I have played here once before I came here. I was itching to play in front of the home fans and I have managed to do that more times than not.
“Exceeded my expectations, probably. I knew a little bit of what to expect (before I joined), but to actually play for Celtic at home, it has been amazing.
Schlupp’s stats for Celtic
There are still plenty more games to go, including bringing another title home, winning the Scottish Cup, and with it, the Treble.
But, from what Schlupp has produced so far, it’s a big thumbs up and the stats from WhoScored prove that too.
But, it’s only fair and logical to make a proper call on his future – from all the parties – at the end of the season and it will be interesting to see if Taylor signs a new deal.
If he doesn’t, then Celtic need another left-sided option, on top of Tierney, but if Taylor opts to stay on board, then it will make things very interesting.
