Celtic’s amazing domestic form under Brendan Rodgers has continued this season too as the Hoops are now close to clinching back to back ‘trebles’ that includes an incredible seven-in-a-row Premiership title. Rangers return to the top tier has made little impact in Celtic’s glorious realm as they maintained their sheer dominance in Scottish football. Rodgers, the former Liverpool gaffer, has groomed an array of youngsters who are now grabbing a central stage at Parkhead and the further involvement of a few experienced performers has transformed Celtic into an unstoppable force.
However, the Glasgow giants might still witness a mass exodus at the end of the season as some of their stars are unlikely to extend their contracts whereas the gaffer is set to offload a few who are now surplus to requirement being out of form and the mediocrity despite having enough experience at a senior level.
We, therefore, have shortlisted three such names who might be transferred out upon completion of the ongoing campaign.
Dorus de Vries
The 37-year-old Dutchman signed a contract extension last year but failed to impress during Craig Gordon’s injury absence and eventually lost his place to Dundee-loanee Scott Bain who was brought in as club’s third-choice custodian. De Vries holds vast experience in the lower leagues of English football and worked under Brendan Rodgers previously at Swansea City during their Premier League promotion. But the goalkeeper has now lost his significance and an erroneous display against Zenit St Petersburg in Europa League has sent him further down the pecking order at Celtic Park.
He is in his late thirties now and Rodgers will be keen on tying down Scott Bain on a permanent deal who will be out of contract in summer and is being targeted by several English and Scottish outfits following his Celtic heroics against the great rivals Rangers in the latest Old Firm derby.
Dedryck Boyata
The 27-year-old Belgian international was recruited from Manchester City back in 2015 and earned a regular role in Celtic deep defence since his arrival. Boyata, meanwhile, will be entering the final year of his contract next season and the gaffer has no plan yet to hand him an extension. His injuries, as well as the defensive howlers, cost the Hoops big in recent months and Rodgers has already strengthened the back-line by snapping up young Jack Hendry and veteran Marvin Compper. Teenager Kristoffer Ajer has been a revelation in Celtic defence this season and the Hoops boss seems to be content with the options he currently holds to arrange his defensive line.
Stuart Armstrong
The 26-year-old Scotsman established himself as a first-team regular since completing a move from Dundee United three years back and also earned his senior international call-up last year due to his sensational display in Celtic midfield. Although he was handed a contract extension last year, Armstrong will be entering the final 12 months of his current deal this summer and might not be handed a fresh offer having lost his place to Olivier Ntcham and Callum McGregor during an injury span.
The return of Ryan Christie from a successful loan spell at Aberdeen will further jeopardize his starting slot at Parkhead and the player, therefore, might be offloaded amidst interest from several English outfits who will pay a good price for the Scotsman’s signing and Rodgers, being aware of the budget constraints, will cash in to strengthen other positions that need some urgent reinforcements prior to the upcoming campaign.
