Despite arriving at Celtic and leading the team to an unbelievable level of success so far, Brendan Rodgers didn’t actually change that much in the squad already at the club.
He only made five signings last summer and only two are currently regular starters in the first team. Even more remarkable then that the side are currently as good as they are, Rodgers working wonders with players who many fans thought may not have a future at Celtic Park
It also means that there’s still massive room for improvement in the upcoming summer transfer window with Rodgers still able to put his own stamp on the team with more of his own signings. If they turn out to be as good as Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembele then Celtic could become a force again on the European stage.
There are five players currently at the club whose deals run out at the end of the season and a key part of the manager’s summer will be deciding whether or not to retain their services.
Time to take out our crystal ball and gaze into the future and see what it holds for these five Celtic stars…
Patrick Roberts
By the time his loan deal finishes at Celtic Park at the end of this season, Patrick Roberts will have spent 18 months at the club. In that time he’s become a real fans favourite with his silky skills, wonderful goals and general personality all endearing him to the Hoops support.
It’s clear the winger has enjoyed his time at the club but it appears the chances of him staying on, either on another loan deal or even permanently are slim, with the player himself hoping to kick on and challenge for places at Manchester City.
As quoted by the BBC, he said of his time at Celtic so far:
“I came here to improve, to win trophies and score goals. Hopefully at the end of the season I can take that back with me to City and have a good go there. It’s been a great experience and I’m thankful for that.”
He was arguably more important to Ronny Deila’s side than Brendan Rodgers, adding a much needed spark to a team not quite exciting home supporters enough. Under Rodgers he’s become more of an impact sub with the form of Scott Sinclair and James Forrest keeping him out of the side.
While there are definitely many who would love the young Englishman to stay in Glasgow, it seems that their future paths are destined to go in different directions.
Efe Ambrose
In January it looked like Efe Ambrose might finally leave Celtic after Blackburn Rovers secured terms on a loan deal for the Nigerian defender. However, new Rovers boss Tony Mowbray revealed this week he would now not be joining the club after work permit issues caused the deal to be scrapped.
Ambrose is now training back with Celtic but with his contract up in the summer, it’s unlikely to be renewed and new reports are linking him with an ’emergency loan’ move to Hibernian, linking up with his former manager Neil Lennon.
The defender has been a frustrating figure for many Celtic supporters with extended periods of good form almost always ultimately ending up in a calamitous mistake that costs the team.
Moving on is the best scenario for all parties.
Kris Commons
Kris Commons is a forgotten man at Celtic, not featuring even once for Brendan Rodgers this season, even at times he’s been fully fit and injury free. Commons was once the main man around Celtic Park, the player supporters could rely on to provide a bit of magic and unlock opposition defences.
He’s still at the club but will almost certainly leave when his deal is up this summer. A loan spell at Hibs was thought to be the end of his time in Glasgow but returned and is back training with Rodgers’ men.
He won’t be hanging up his boots quite so it’ll be interesting to see what sort of club he’ll end up at next and whether or not it will be in England and Scotland.
What’s certain is that he’ll go being very fondly remembered by Celtic supporters.
Kolo Toure
Kolo Toure signed a one year deal at Celtic Park last season and initially looked to be one of Brendan Rodgers’ most inspired acquisitions. He started 10 games for the Scottish Champions and looked stellar in almost every one before the emergence of Jozo Simunovic put paid to a regular starting position.
Coming back into the team after a 2 month break, he looked fairly dreadful in a 4-3 victory over Motherwell, a performance that has likely killed any chance of him starting a game anytime soon.
He’s a leader on and off the pitch and his great relationship with Rodgers means that even if he stops playing for Celtic when his deal runs out this summer, he could stay at the club in some sort of coaching capacity.
At 35 it could finally be time for him to retire, especially if his performances continue to go downhill.
Craig Gordon
While Craig Gordon’s deal does expire in the summer, Celtic hold all the cards on his future with the Glasgow club having the option to extend his stay at Celtic Park.
The subject of serious interest from Chelsea in January, it’s clear he has suitors willing to exploit any uncertainty over his future at the club.
Extending his stay Celtic would provide Celtic with a player capable of winning points on his day.
