While attention is on players signing for Celtic today there is a lengthy list that could be on their way out at some stage today with some Transfer Windows open into next week.
Frequent changes in manager inevitably lead to the accumulation of players with a couple of left-overs from Neil Lennon’s time hopefully moving on long after their usefulness came to an end, or in some cases ever got started.
ALBIAN AJETI is at the top of the list with reports from Turkey suggesting that two clubs are interested and that Celtic could even pick up a fee. With a Celtic wage packet of £40,000 per week it would be a shock if Trabzonspor or Gaziantep could match those wages and offer a transfer fee.
Ajeti hasn’t played for Celtic since being injured in December 2021 at home to Real Betis, after three goals early in Ange Postecoglou’s reign the form of Giorgos Giakoumakis and Kyogo Furuhashi pushed him down the list with nothing of note happening last season on loan at Sturm Graz.
ISMAILA SORO was signed in January 2020 as one of many successors to Scott Brown. Signed from Israeli football it looks like he will be heading back to Israel with Beiter Jerusalem apparently keenest to sign.
It has been suggested that Soro was looking to terminate his Celtic deal which would allow him to move on as a free agent. He played regularly on loan at Portuguese side Acoura but there was no follow up interest in a permanent move.
GONE!!!
JAMES MCCARTHY was signed at the same time as James McCarthy but struggled from day one to get upto speed with the fitness demands of Ange Postecoglou. With a four year contract that is as much Celtic’s problem as the player although the last year of his contract could be an option held by Celtic.
There hasn’t been any clubs linked with the midfielder, after barely any football for two seasons it is hard to see where he would move to. After a decade in England he returned to Glasgow for family reasons and is unlikely to move on again.
BEN SIEGRIST joined Celtic a year ago with the expectation that he would seriously push Joe Hart for his place but after two League Cup appearances last season it looks odds against him playing a third Celtic match.
Since Celtic’s appearance at the Sydney Super Cup Siegrist’s main interest appears to be Brittany Hockley with social media highlighting their long distance romance with exotic holidays shared at every opportunity. A move to the A-League would be very convenient.
YUKI KOBAYASHI Was signed by Ange Postecoglou in January but Brendan Rodgers has signed two new central defenders and put Stephen Welsh on an extended contract with the former Vissel Kobe man out injured.
He had an opportunity last season when Cameron Carter-Vickers was out injured but looked very vulnerable with Tomoki Iwata drafted in.
ALEXANDRO BERNABEI Another 2022 signing that hasn’t made the progress expected, his arrival did push Greg Taylor’s form up a level although things seem much changed this season.
Almost all In The Know reporters are highlighting Celtic’s need for a left-back, being third choice isn’t a very good look with a change of scenery to a club using wing-backs probably the best solution.
SEAD HAKSABANOVIC Yes, another 2022 signing that hasn’t taken his opportunity. Jota’s transfer should have opened the door for Haksa but he seems to have got off on the wrong foot with Brendan Rodgers.
Stoke City and PAOK are reported to be trying for a deal but with three wingers signed the former Rubik Kazan’s exit will barely be noticed.
Twitter will be the place to be today with more departures than arrivals expected from Celtic.
