The end of season clearout

Should be fun trying to completely rebuild a squad before the CL qualifiers start.

 

If I were in charge, this is how I'd go about dealing with our squad this summer;

Goalkeepers

Craig Gordon - Two more years on his deal, 33 years old. I'd keep him but would also be looking for another 'keeper who can realistically challenge him.

Logan Bailly - Two more years on his deal, 30 years old. He's not going to be challenging Gordon for the top position, so I'd look to shift him if we managed to secure another decent 'keeper to challenge Gordon.

Leo Fasan - One more year on his deal, 22 years old. I don't see this lad making the cut. I'd either punt him now if there were any takers, or let him see out his deal before letting him go.


Defenders

Tyler Blackett - On loan with us until may 31st, 22 years old. He's not staying beyond the end of the season, and I'd not be making any effort to retain him.

Emilio Izaguirre - One more year on his deal, 29 years old. A pivotal season ahead for him in my opinion. He's dropped out of the side due to the exploits of young Tierney, and I don't see him winning that position back. He's basically cover now, but I'd be looking to bring through someone younger for this position and would likely let him go at the end of his contract, or sell him if a decent offer came in either in the summer or in January.

Efe Ambrose - One more year on his deal, 27 years old. I'd be looking to shift him on for sure. I'd even be willing to let him go for nothing just to get him off the wage bill. Far too error-prone for my liking.

Jozo Šimunović - Four years left on his deal, 21 years old. I'd be looking for him to remain injury-free and form a solid 1st choice partnership with Sviatchenko. Things look promising in central defence I think, provided both stay injury-free.

Dedryck Boyata- Three years left on his deal, 25 years old. An excellent back up player. Having someone like him to turn to when rotation is called for, or injury issues arise is ideal. A definite keeper unless he's unhappy at his position in the pecking order.

Charlie Mulgrew - Out of contract this June, 30 years old. His next contract will be a crucial one for him, as it's likely to be his last at a really high level. Depending on what he's asking I'd be happy to keep him on. He's a good utility player and is usually steady & dependable.

Saidy Janko - Three years left on his deal, 20 years old. Played a variety of positions this season in his few appearances, including right-back and central defence. A natural successor to Lustig? Perhaps. At the moment, he's still young and decent cover. Will hopefully be pressing for the right-back slot next season as Lustig enters the final year of his contract.

Mikael Lustig - Two years left on his deal, 29 years old. Definitely not his best season for the club, but he's a solid, dependable right back. I'd certainly be looking to keep him on unless a crazy cash offer was to come in. Will hopefully see a challenge from Janko this coming season.

Erik Sviatchenko - Four years left on his deal, 24 years old. At the risk of putting some senior noses out of joint, this would be my captain for next season. He's been pretty immense in a season where not many players have done much to impress. His partnership with Šimunović could be the cornerstone to our defence for the next four or five years.

Eoghan O'Connell - One year left on his deal, 20 years old. Young centre back with a bit of potential. Has featured fairly regularly for Cork City since moving there in February, and is due to return this summer. I'd be looking to see how he does over the summer, and then make a decision to either keep him with the club or loan him out to a higher level than he's playing at currently. With a year left on his deal he hasn't much time to make something happen.

Stuart Findlay - Out of contract this June, 20 years old. Young centre-back who's bounced around the lower leagues before going to Kilmarnock last July, where he's managed to play 21 league games this season. I think he's maybe found his level, and with the competition for places at the club in that position, I'd be inclined to let him go once his contract expires.

Darnell Fisher - Out of contract this June, 22 years old. Young right-back who showed a bit of promise early on, but who hasn't really come as we'd hoped I think. Done well enough for St Johnstone this season in 20 odd appearances, but at 22 is now past the point of being potential I think. Would likely release him in June when his contract is up.

Kieran Tierney - Three years left on his deal, 18 years old. Young left-back with a terrific upside in my opinion. After his exploits this season I'd be looking to get him tied down to a long-term, improved contract. Possible future captain of the side, and hopefully a mainstay at left-back for many years to come.


Midfielders

Nir Bitton - Four years left on his deal, 24 years old. Quality defensive midfielder on his day, but can also seem lazy when things aren't going his way. I'd certainly not be actively looking to shift him, but if a great offer came in I'd certainly listen to it.

Scott Brown - Two years left on his deal, 30 years old. Coming up on nine years with the club, and a great inspiration and gritty midfielder on his day. Unfortunately, we've not seen many of those days of late. Is it down to injury? Issues with the manager? Who knows, but he's going to have to step up his game this coming season in my opinion. I'd remove the captaincy if I were in charge, see if it gives him the kick up the * he needs.

Stuart Armstrong - Two years left on his deal, 24 years old. In all honesty, I think the club is too big for him. I don't see him improving much over the next few years, and certainly wouldn't be offering him an extension to his current deal. If we could recoup something for him I'd happily let him go.

Kris Commons - one year left on his deal, 32 years old. Hasn't really featured much of late, which could be down to various reasons. I'd probably be looking to sell him this summer if possible. I'd not be offering him another deal at that age, and would prefer to get something for him now rather than nothing in a years time.

Gary Mackay-Steven - Three years left on his deal, 25 years old. The other half of the Dundee United transfer a while back, and much like Armstrong I don't think he's impressed. He's under contract for the next three years, so it may be worth giving him another season to prove his worth before actively looking to shift him, but if an offer came in that was half-decent this summer I'd cut my losses and shift him on.

Ryan Christie - Three years left on his deal, 21 years old. An important season for Ryan coming up, where he'll hopefully get the chance to impress. He's a right-sided midfielder, so he'll be competing with the likes of McGregor and Roberts for a starting position. May not be a consistent starter this season, but he has to show progress.

Tom Rogić - One year left on his deal, 23 years old. Someone that I'd be looking to sign to a new contract this summer. An attacking midfielder with a cracking shot, and he's still relatively young. He'll play a big part for us this season I think, which is why we need to tie him down to a deal that goes beyond next summer.

Scott Allan - Three years left on his deal, 24 years old. A weird signing if I'm honest, and not one I'd have made. He's here now though, and has shown some glimpses of being able to operate as an impact player. I'd happily retain him for another season unless a pretty good offer came in. Do the Huns still want him?

Stefan Johansen - One year left on his deal, 25 years old. I'd be looking to move him on this summer for a decent fee of at least a few million. He looked great the season before last, but faltered badly this season.

Patrick Roberts - One year left on his loan deal, 19 years old. A decent kid with some real ability, but still a bit rough around the edges. Can certainly do a job in the SPFL and someone I'm happy to have around.

Callum McGregor - Three years left on his deal, 22 years old. A right-sided midfielder with the ability to be a long-term member of our first team. This year is going to be important for him as he steps up and makes the starting position his own, and hopefully puts some personal issues behind him. If he does that a new deal should be in the offing next summer.

James Forrest - Out of contract this June, 24 years old. It's all went horribly wrong for Forrest, considering the potential he had when he first burst through into the side. He'll likely be gone once his contract expires.

Liam Henderson - Two years left on his deal, 20 years old. Already a Tippeligaen winner with Rosenborg during his time there, Henderson has been a regular for Hibs this season and is ready for the step up in my opinion. With two years left on his contract the time is now for him to show he can make the cut at Celtic. I don't think he needs any more loan periods now, and should be pushing for the first team with us.

Aiden Nesbitt - Three years left on his deal, 19 years old. Been on loan with Thistle, where he's not featured all that much, and is a bit lightweight but has obvious potential. I'd be looking to put him out on loan again this coming season.


Forwards

Nadir Çiftçi - Three years left on his deal, 24 years old. Been on loan at Eskisehirspor, but hasn't really done anything to suggest he's going to make it here. Still has three years on his deal, and he'll be back this summer so maybe analyse him afresh and see what to do then. I'd likely try to sell him if possible, or shift him out on loan again with the loaning club picking up his wages.

Leigh Griffiths - Five years left on his deal, 25 years old. Our most prolific striker by a mile and an integral part of the side. He's on a long-term deal, he's in his mid 20's, so everything is gravy here. Just let him continue doing what he does.

Anthony Stokes - One year left on his deal, 27 years old. Been on loan with Hibs since January and has scored 6 goals in 18 appearances I think, which isn't anything to write home about, especially considering the league he's playing in. I think his time here is up, but he'll be back in the summer so I'd not be against giving him the close season to show that he actually wants to be here. If he doesn't impress, then I'd punt him for the best offer going and get him off the wage bill.

Stefan Šćepović - Two years left on his deal, 26 years old. The alarm bells should have been ringing when he initially knocked us back before signing for us. Has made it clear he's not interested in playing here, blaming the weather, the officials, the pitches and all sort for his failure to get the job done. Cost us almost £2 million by all acounts, and I think we'd be doing well to recoup half of that. He's back with us this summer, but I'd be looking to cut my losses with him sharpish and free up some wages for someone who wants to be here.

Colin Kazim-Richards - Two years left on his deal, 29 years old. Another baffling signing from the Deila era. Has shown nothing really since arriving here apart from a penchant for * hair styles. We have him for another two years, so i'd be looking to release him if someone else will take him on, or even loan him out.

Carlton Cole - One year left on his deal, 32 years old. Why did we sign him? He's obviously past it. He's got another year left, but I'd be looking to reach an agreement to let him go this summer. Either that or find some club who would be stupid enough to loan him from us.


When you actually look at the guys who are tied up on deals with us who most likely wouldn't be easy to move on you can see that the new manager, whoever he is, will have a tough * job ahead of him.

 

This is the first year i can remember where it wouldn't bother me who got punted.Keep a few key players and work around that.

 

Gordon, Simunovic, Sviatchenko, Tierney, McGregor, Rogic, Commons, Griffiths.

Not bothered about anyone else. Although a good manager would get the best out of Bitton and Mackay Steven.

Lustig and Brown are finished.

 

I'd keep griffiths and Tierney. Punt the rest.

 

Hmm. Just a thought but might struggle to keep "goals against" tally down with just 2.

 

gid read that wouldn't argue with any of it

 

Hence I always loose on football manager

 

Cheers

For some reason I thought Stokes contract was up this summer, but he's got another year by the looks of it, so his career at Celtic may not be dead after all.

 

add big erik and am with you on that one.

 

Good assessment of the squad, but other than Griffiths, it looks like slim pickings in the attacking part of the team. I think we'll struggle to shift the duds on.

Also completely forgot about Forrest. Shame he doesn't have a year left on his contract so we could make some money from him.

 

Quality stuff Daithi, only part or 2 I disagree with is Armstrong and Kazim Richards- think there is a player in Armstrong without doubt if played centrally and CKR can do a job up front on his own especially in Europe i think though i may be alone on that score :smiley-laughing002:

 

Aye, that's one thing that I think a lot of people overlook when a manager comes in. Even Deila, to an extent, had to deal with the issue of his wage budget being taken up in large part by players who were no good, but who are earning enough that they're happy to stay and pick up a pay cheque.

 

I'd actually give Stokes another chance purely because I feel he and Griffiths link up well and he'd help Griffiths in terms of being another scorer in the team. I'd also keep Kazim, I think he's a useful player to have around. Add to that another striker and I think we might be sorted in that area. I.e punt the rest.

Midfield. I still like Armstrong so I'd definitely keep him. The rest of the midfield is hard, I'd definitely get rid of Forrest and possibly Stefan, but then again Johansen's ability to get about the pitch and his work rate could be a nice asset to have in Europe. Brown I'd keep even though I've been critical of him. Allan, not sure about him at all. Most of the rest I'd keep.

Defence. Apart from Ambrose, I think most of these players have a purpose. Charlie and Boyata are reliable enough players, with both Erik and Jozo quite promising.

Goalkeepers. We know Gordon is first choice regardless and we won't be selling him/buying a first team keeper.

Basically I'm actually quite happy with most of the squad. Ciftic, Cole, Scep, Forrest, Allan, Ambrose are the ones I'd be looking actively get rid of. The rest I'm either happy with or not too bothered. Basically get another striker who can actually score, possibly a wide man and maybe a defensive midfielder, maybe.

 

The squad needs trimmed, big style!

Far too many attacking mids for one club, havent a decent left winger with a left peg, and no proper midfield general/anchor man/defensive mid......whatever you wish to address it as.

If Rogic is fit he deserves to be our no.10 player, as Commons dwindles on in years and stamina.

 

Commons is out of contract next summer, so ideally we'll have someone younger who has picked up the mantle by then.

 

A good assessment I would say. I think the new manager needs to be totally ruthless coming into the club. I would honestly demand at least 5 new outfield players and tell the board that much of that squad needs to be moved on. Armstrong, GMS, Allan, Ciftci, Cole, CKR, Stokes, Scepovic, Forrest, McGregor, Johansen, Commons and Brown are the names that spring to mind that I would move on this summer.

Brown might be a controversial one but he's our highest earner, has poor technique, increasingly poor energy and no longer brings any psychological benefits to a match. Get him out and get a marquee signing in.

 

The only thing that worries me is who would buy most of these players?

i wouldnt if i was a manager.

 

It would be a tough sell so many would have to be loaned out to run down their contracts. I think McGregor done well in the English League 1 and the likes of Armstrong and GMS might get offers there too.

Johansen might get a move back to a good Scandinavian side, Ciftci might get a move to Turkey.

I really hope the new manager doesn't get told to make it work with these guys. They are simply not good enough for Celtic.