Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

The 12 Celtic transfers to hit the exit button on as Ange Postecoglou eyes Champions League impact

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou 's 'We Never Stop' motto now precedes him but it's more than just a soundbite.

The Scottish Premiership winners are back in the Champions League and the club's leader isn't resting on his laurels.

He wants his Celtic side to leave a telling impact as they get ready to dine at European football's top table once again.

Much of the early transfer buzz has focused on incomings with fans hoping permanent deals for Cameron Carter–Vickers and Jota are struck. Record Sport understands those deals are all but done and only the official announcements have to be declared.

But outgoings also loom large and there's plenty of players among the current squad who appear primed to head for the exit door.

Record Sport looks at 11 players who could leave Celtic this summer either on loan or a permanent deal.

Many of the men who started against Betis could be for the off (SNS Group)

Goalkeeper

Vasilis Barkas was available in January but a proposed move to Sweden didn't come off. He has two years remaining on his Parkhead deal but his time in Glasgow is very much over.

The Greek international is behind Scott Bain as Joe Hart's back–up and highly-rated academy star Tobi Oluwayemi is destined for more first team exposure.

While Bain penned a long-term contract extension, it would be remiss to rule out a another shot stopper arriving who specialises in playing the Postecoglou way.

But there's no doubt Hart remains entrenched as the club's No.1 after a rousing return to form after his struggles since leaving Manchester City.

Defence

The wait for news on Carter-Vickers goes on but Celtic remain confident of securing the services of their Tottenham loan star and personal terms are agreed.

But who will exit?

Christopher Jullien 's appeal for game time against Motherwell fell on deaf ears and the £7m stopper appears an obvious candidate to exit this summer.

It would be silly to downplay the Frenchman's telling impact pre-injury but the aforementioned Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt have forged a strong pairing.

Christopher Jullien (SNS Group)

Adam Montgomery , who can play multiple positions, earned significant game time during the first half of last season as the injury bug hit but failed to thrive during a loan stint with Aberdeen.

Another loan exit seems likely with Celtic eyeing a left-back to compete with starter Greg Taylor.

And the future of Osaze Urhoghide is fascinating. Oostende have an option to make his deal permanent and the Dutchman appears to have some development to do away from Celtic Park.

Boli Bolingoli 's Celtic exit is a case of when not if as he enters the final year of his deal.

Midfield

He was a rare bright spark in the botched 10-In-A-Row season but Ismaila Soro is highly likely to move on.

His erratic display in the 4-3 defeat to Real Betis was a sign the Ivorian was incompatible with thriving under the current regime.

Soro has two years remaining on his Celtic contract but expect more interest in his services after Fortuna Sittard enquired in January.

And questions remain over James McCarthy . His four-year contract has three years left to run but his impact was minimal during after signing for his boyhood club.

McCarthy's lack of game time became even more pronounced after the arrival of Reo Hatate and, perhaps, an exit will be beneficial to both player and club.

Liam Shaw is another who will likely find game time tough to come by.

He failed to sizzle at Motherwell and the 21-year-old former Sheffield Wednesday man needs game time with three years left at Celtic.

(SNS Group)

And Scott Robertson is another. The academy product has developed during educational loan stays at Crewe, Gillingham and Doncaster but the next step of his career is looming with his deal up in 2023.

Luca Connell is in a similar position. His deal is up expires 12 months and a permanent deal with Queen's Park makes sense.

He's adored in Glasgow’s southside and was key to their promotion.

Attack

Striker Albian Ajeti was left cursing his luck after a bright start against Real Betis in December was cut short due to a serious hamstring injury.

It hasn't happened for the 25-year-old in Glasgow since signing from West Ham for £5m and he's not dislodging either Giorgos Giakoumakis or Kyogo anytime soon.

Ajeti's contract runs to 2024 but it's clear his Celtic story is entering the final chapter with a return to Switzerland among his options.

Celtic's Albian Ajeti has struggled to make an impact at Parkhead (SNS Group)

And talking about injuries, a word for Mikey Johnston who had his Parkhead career ravaged by time on the treatment table. Aberdeen tried and failed to get him on loan in January and others will be interested in this window.

But the 22-year-old remains a compelling talent who many a manager would savour having a go at a restoration project for a winger with flick and tricks aplenty.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.