EX-CELTS ON LOOK-OUT
TOM ROGIC has been the main focus of attention of former Celtic players who are on the look-out for a new club this summer.
The 29-year-old Ausralian playmaker, who left the Hoops after nine and half years and a landslide of 16 honours, has already knocked back a lucrative offer to join Indonesian champions Persija Jakarta.
International head coach Graham Arnold is eager for one of his key performers to get his future sorted before the World Cup Finals kick off in Qatar on November 21.
PARADISE…Leigh Griffiths in happier days at Celtic.
Former team-mate Leigh Griffiths, a fellow-Invincible in the memorable 2016/17 treble-winning campaign, is also searching for a new club.
Rogic and Griffiths, though, are not the only one-time Hoops stars attempting to find a team as the new league season prepares to commence at the weekend.
Here are four others currently without a club as the minutes tick down to the big kick-off.
The former England international forward made an immediate impact at Celtic when he scored the winning goal against Hearts at Tynecastle on day one of Brendan Rodgers’ league era on August 7 2016.
The former Manchester City winger was known to the new Hoops boss during their time together at Chelsea. He cost £4.5million when he arrived from Aston Villa 24 hours before the game in Edinburgh and started on the substututes’ bench.
He came on for Stuart Armstrong in the 61st minute with the game balanced at 1-1 and tucked away a left-wing cross from Griffiths in the fading moments to seal a dream debut.
CAPITAL PERFORMANCE…Scott Sinclair celebrates one of his hat-trick in the 5-0 title-winning display against Hearts at Tynecastle on April 2 2017.
Coincidentally, he walloped in a hat-trick at the same venue on April 2 the following year as the Hoops triumphed 5-0 to lift their sixth successive title.
The popular Sinclair was involved the phenomenal treble treble triumph and netted 96 goals in a prolific three and a half years before leaving for Championship outfit Preston, signed by former Hamilton Accies gaffer Alex Neil.
However, the winger, now 33, was released at the end of hs contract following a disappointing crusade where he failed to register a solitary goal.
The one-time wonder Bhoy is also up for grabs following two forgettable years at Aberdeen after joining from Hibs.
The gifted midfielder enjoyed the best days of his career at Easter Road when Neil Lennon was in charge which brought international recognition from Scotland and a lucrative contract at Sunderland.
At 29, though he has been cast adrift after Dons gaffer Jim Goodwin informed him there would be no contract extension.
McGeouch said: “I’ve not played a lot of football the last two years, sitting on the bench. I need to make sure it is the right move to go kick-start my career again.
ACTION MAN…Dylan McGeouch during his best days at Hibs.
“I’m open to everything. It’s something I’ve been saying to my agent. If it is the right move I am happy to do it. I’m at a good age. Hopefully something comes up sooner rather than later and I can get myself back in.“When you are looking at clubs you look at the manager, the style, how he wants to play. I don’t think there is any use in me going to a team where they just want to launch the ball.”
He has already spent two weeks with Mansfield Town and his brief spell at the English League Two side allowed him to work on his fitness levels.
McGeouch, speaking to The Scotsman, added: “When I was leaving Hibs I was a free agent, but had something lined up. This is the first time I have had a period off.
“I’ve been working away, just trying to keep myself fit, doing what I can on the grass and in the gym. So when the right move comes I’m ready to fit right in. I don’t want to be sitting about and then having to play catch-up when I go in somewhere.”
Another talented midfield performer who is in the hunt for new employers after leaving Hibs after three spells at the Edinburgh club.
Allan was a massive favourite with the Easter Road support after claiming 17 goals and 39 assists in 127 appearances for the Leith outfit.
The 30-year-old playmaker, who had three years at Parkhead after being bought by Ronny Deila for a bargain £250,000 in August 2015, has struggled for game time since being diagnosed with a heart condition in 2020 which could have ended his career.
Allan became a fringe player, making just six starts under Jack Ross and then Shaun Maloney, before being released.
He said: “I worked hard to come back from a pretty bad place. There’s plenty of football left in me and I’m looking forward to whatever comes next.”
The Turkish striker arrived at Celtic in a £1.5million switch in July 19 2015 after building a huge reputation at Dundee United where he scored 33 goals in one season.
Thirty-year-old Ciftci was even handed the iconic No.7 jersey, but he flopped big-style at Parkhead. He netted a mere four goals in 26 appearances and was sent out on loan to Poland and also had a brief stay at Plymouth Argyle.
He was released by Brendan Rodgers in June 30 2018.
Amazingly, the chunky forward has played for NINE clubs in six years and recently failed to impress at St Johnstone, drawing a blank in his 12 games for the Perth outfit.
He also had a decent stint on loan at Motherwell, but it appears his time in Scotland is over.