A big summer transfer window awaits Celtic and Brendan Rodgers.
Everyone is talking about the possible incomings, especially getting deals done before Celtic’s Champions League qualifying campaign starts.
The Premiership title is almost wrapped up, and when that’s done, then it’s another ticket to Europe’s elite competition, but not the usual one-way train, as Scotland’s coefficient has taken a hit; the Hoops will have to go through the old qualifying process.
But the outgoings are just as important, and Rodgers will need to clear his squad.
Here at 67 Hail Hail, we take a look at the Celtic players, whether playing in the first team now or out on loan, who aren’t good enough to continue next season.
Five players not good enough for Celtic next season, including Luis Palma
Gustaf Lagerbielke – It’s crazy to think that Gustaf Lagerbielke was signed under Rodgers and also played his first Glasgow derby back as manager, winning 1-0 at Ibrox.
But despite paying big money for the 24-year-old, he is now on loan at FC Twente, and the signs are pretty clear that he isn’t good enough to break into this Celtic side.
Marco Tilio – Celtic have taken risks with unknown players before, such as Nicolas Kuhn, but with those deals that work, you have to take the hits of those that don’t.
That’s the case with Marco Tilio, another Rodgers signing, but someone who has only featured twice and has since returned to the A-League in Australia, where he is playing for Melbourne City and only has three goals to his name.
Luis Palma – Celtic tried and tried with Luis Palma, including failing to score or assist during his sporadic time on the pitch for the Bhoys this season.
The 25-year-old just had to constantly cut on to his right foot again and again, without any quality, and it was the correct call to loan him out to Olympiacos in January.
The controversial picks, including Liam Scales
Liam Scales and Maik Nawrocki – This might be controversial, but Celtic need a change at centre-back, some freshness added, so it’s time to move on from Liam Scales and Maik Nawrocki.
You sense Celtic can go a level higher than Scales, if they bring in someone more proven at the European level, so bite the bullet and let the Ange Postecoglou signing move on.
Nawrocki did well against Rangers, but he is hardly being used by Rodgers, and at times, not even making the bench, so there is clearly a bigger problem there.
No time for Celtic to dwell, but be ruthless and fix an area of the pitch that needs upgrading because the defensive performances of late have been rather worrying.
