CELTIC are the Premiership champions for the fourth successive season and the fans are excited about what the final four matches could spell. They begin the countdown at Ibrox on Sunday and also face an away fixture against Aberdeen at Pittodrie and home games against Hibs and St Mirren, the encounter which will see the final curtain come down on the league campaign.
Punters have already started taking up the best betting sites sign up offers to back this team with wagers. What’s more, bookies have already started tweaking their odds in readiness for the next season. So, what changes might take place in the team, and how will they affect its position come next season? Let’s find out.
Is There a Need for Changes?
Celtic FC has proven to be a giant in the Scottish Premiership and beyond, thus cementing its place in the UEFA Champions League, Scottish Cup, and Scottish League Cup. In fact, in the past three years, its performance has been as follows:
- 2023-2024: 1st position with 93 points.
- 2022-2023: 1st position with 99 points.
- 2021-2022: 1st position with 93 points.
We await the final table for the current crusade, but the 55th crown in the club’s illustrious history was sealed with their 5-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice at the weekend. The team boasts incredible talent that boosts its squad depth, great management, and enviable team dynamics. As many people would say, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Even so, change is inevitable. After all, complacency is one of the biggest barriers to success. As such, the team is gearing up for some changes that could affect its performance in the next season.
Potential Departures
Per the current transfer rumours, the team lineup will have some changes, and fans might soon be bidding adieu to the following players:
1. Greg Taylor
This amazing left-back has a contract that ends in June and speculation is rife that he will join Dinamo Zagreb once his term is over. In fact, many reports claim that Dinamo Zagreb has already made a sizeable offer to the player and that talks are already ongoing regarding a long-term agreement.
How will this affect Celtic FC? Taylor has always been a star in the field for his defensive reliability, such that he rarely makes mistakes. What’s more, he excels in positional awareness and has incredible passing skills. On the downside, he lacks the pace required to keep up with fast wingers, which can sometimes result in loopholes that opponents can exploit.
2. Gustaf Lagerbielke
Gustaf, whose contract with Celtic FC ends in June 2027, is on loan at FC Twente. In his time with Celtic and Twente, this centre-back has proven to be an impressive player who displays strong passing and tackling skills. While he struggles with transitions, he more than makes up for it with his dominance in the air.
Speculation has it that Gustaf hopes to make his move to the Netherlands more permanent, thus indicating that he will not feature in Celtic’s games in the near future.
3. Jeffrey Schlupp
Fans remain divided over whether this player will be leaving the team or staying on, especially with the news of Taylor’s departure. This left midfield player has been with Celtic FC on loan from Crystal Palace under a contract that offers the team an option to buy. So far, he has exhibited versatility that has made him a force to reckon with in various positions, thus keeping the team’s opponents on their toes. His high energy and strong physicality have made him a great addition to the team.
On the one hand, fans argue that while Schlupp has shown some inconsistencies in his crosses, his departure could leave gaps in the lineup. On the other hand, the news of Kieran Tierney’s potential return indicates Schlupp’s departure may not have much of an impact on the team.
As fans await official communication from the team, the debates ensue.
What about Signings?
Celtic also has to think about which players they need to bring to the team to make up for any weaknesses in their lineup. Kieran Tierney is on his way back while striker Mathias Kvistgaarden continues to rate a mention. With transfers mimicking a game of chess, fans cannot help but wonder how the final lineup will play out in the next season.
