Brendan Rodgers will already be preparing his Celtic squad for next season.
From the areas Celtic need to strengthen to the players he wants in the building, it’s all discussed months in advance and it’s aided by the club’s dominance in Scotland.
Celtic are 16 points clear at the top of the Premiership table and it’s a matter of when the title will be won, along with a possible Treble
Given the progress the champions have made this season, especially in Europe, it has cast a few eyes on the star players and Rodgers will want them to stay on board for next season.
But you can only deal with those situations when they arise in the summer, in regards to who knocks on the door for the thriving Celtic players, as it’s obvious the two areas that need to be added to for next season.
The obvious one is the striker because Kyogo Furuhashi hasn’t been replaced yet, but the left-back spot is also one that needs dealing with.
Jeffrey Schlupp told to sign for Celtic for next season
Yes, Kieran Tierney will return to Celtic next season, but it still isn’t enough cover if things remain how they are.
Greg Taylor is out of contract and isn’t showing any signs that he will sign a new deal, as Jeffrey Schlupp is on loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season.
Bearing all of that in mind, Alan Hutton has told Schlupp to ‘take the option’ and sign for Celtic because of what’s on the table, as he told Premier Sports.
Despite having his Rangers cap on, Hutton rightfully highlighted how he will be playing in front of 50k people next season, winning trophies and competing in the Champions League.
“I think so (Celtic have to keep Schlupp),” said Hutton. “We aren’t sure what’s going to happen with Taylor towards the end of the season. Will he leave or will he stay? It maybe looks like he will be moving to pastures new.
“If Tierney does come in, which it looks like it’s done, and to have Jeffrey Schlupp there as well to compete for that position. I think that’s very, very strong.
“He has shown in a short number of weeks the experience, the power and strength that he has. The energy and the pace to get forward. And the quality, more than anything.
“You might have other options, but it might be in the Championship or lower down in the Premier League. Or whatever.
“If there is an option to play for a team, where you are playing in front of 50,000+, playing in the Champions League, and possibly winning leagues and cups. I think that’s an option you would want to take, especially at that age. Plenty of time (to give given his age).
Schlupp’s stats for Celtic since joining from Crystal Palace
Schlupp has now dethroned Taylor from the starting XI. That probably pushes him further out of the door and convinces fans to want the Palace man on board for the next campaign.
But whatever Taylor is thinking, he can’t argue with the performances that are being put up by the 32-year-old, especially Schlupp’s display in Munich against Michael Olise.
It just makes Rodgers and Celtic’s life far easier if Schlupp is snapped up because that’s the left-back area sorted and focus can go on other areas.
Plus, it would be a step up from this campaign when Taylor, departed loan star Alex Valle and Alexandro Bernabei were the left-back options.
