Phillips seemed to have the perfect profile, a member of Jurgen Klopp’s impressive squad in need of matches but like many others from the EPL he has struggled with the different demands of playing for Celtic
One match into a Champions League campaign the ambitions of June and July are in tatters, this Celtic squad isn’t about to advance in Europe, matching last season’s tally of two points is far from certain.
Last year’s visit to the Bernabeu completed the list of the major European grounds covered by Celtic this century with multiple trips to the Nou Camp and San Siro ticked off.
English and German clubs are scouting the best Academy players and signing them at the age of 16, the leftovers go into the Lowland League and soul destroying matches against Cumbernauld Colts, Edinburgh University and Caledonian Braves on plastic pitches.