Celtic lost a bunch of players this summer as their contracts had expired and some of them also left on loan. As a result, Lennon had to recruit heavily and smartly in the transfer market to bring in more depth to increase competition for places. Celtic’s transfer window started slowly, but they signed a flurry of players in the last week of the transfer window.
However, Lennon has revealed that the club is working feverishly on January signings. Once again, Celtic can lose as many as five players next summer as their contracts are expiring. The likes of Fraser Forster, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Mortiz Bauer are also out on their respective loan spells. Hence, one can understand why the Hoops are already working on recruiting new players.
Here we will look at five Celtic players that are in the final year of their contracts and whether Lennon should offer them a new deal or not.
Scott Sinclair
The English winger has had a fall from grace ever since Lennon took over. Sinclair managed 17 goals in the last campaign, but he has failed to feature in some of Lennon’s matchday squads this season. There might be some hope that he could find a way back into the Celtic first-team, but it is more likely that he will depart once his contract expires. Ideally, the Hoops could look to sell him in January to garner a transfer fee for the winger. Sinclair doesn’t seem to be in Lennon’s plans anymore, and there is no point in offering him a new contract.
Craig Gordon
The veteran goalkeeper is likely to become the third-choice goalkeeper once Scott Bain becomes fit. Fraser Forster is only playing on loan, but we don’t see the Celtic management team keep Gordon beyond this summer.
Jonny Hayes
The experienced player is a backup left-back at the moment, and after the club signed Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo and Greg Taylor permanently this summer, Hayes is unlikely to get much game time. We don’t see Celtic offering the 32-year-old a new contract after it expires in 2020.
Nir Bitton
Maybe before the start of the season, one would have claimed that 2020 will be the end of Bitton’s Celtic career. However, Bitton has resurrected himself after putting in some terrific performances in defence even though he is a midfielder by trade. There is no doubt to us that his versatility will come in handy and the Israel international should be handed a new deal.
Calvin Miller
The 21-year-old fullback hasn’t lived up to his initial billing. He was linked with a move away from Celtic Park this summer, but nothing materialised. Miller is unlikely to be involved on the pitch this season as he is down with a severe injury. Therefore we don’t see the Hoops giving him a new deal.
