CELTIC midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, signed as a free agent in the summer, is ready to lead the exodus from Parkhead in this transfer window.
The 31-year-old anchorman, who played last season for Kilmarnock, has made just three appearances and has seen 155 minutes of action since agreeing a two-year deal.
Mulumbu is well down the Hoops pecking order and Brendan Rodgers will allow him to go out on loan to find much-needed game-time.
The Hoops boss said: “Youssouf is at the age where he needs to play.
“He came in as a support player to the team, but he really needs to play in the next part of the season, so he’ll probably go out on loan.”
Rodgers has also confirmed youngsters Lewis Morgan and Jack Hendry could also set to be go on a temporary basis.
The Scotland internationals are unlikely to figure too often in the second part of a crucial campaign and it appears the time is right to let them leave to gain more experience.
Hibs have been linked with winger Morgan who joined the club in a £300,000 deal from St Mirren a year ago. The 22-year-old forward was returned to the Paisley outfit to help with their successful promotion bid before arriving at Parkhead in the summer.
However, he has made only one start and will get a better chance of making regular appearances with Neil Lennon’s Easter Road side.
Hendry, who cost £1.3million when he arrived from Dundee 12 months ago, has also failed to hold down a regular place and will be on the move with Sunderland, Bradford City and Portsmouth all linked with the central defender.
Marvin Compper, 33, who hasn’t even played a full game for the champions is also heading out of the exit after his disappointing stay following his £1.2million switch from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig last January.
Rodgers added: “There is an interest in a number of our players.
“Some of these boys we will be looking to get them out on loan to get them games and some of the boys who haven’t travelled with us are probably a wee bit closer to getting something sorted.
“It’s just about time. When you think of Jack coming in a year ago it was a steep learning curve for him, playing under big pressure and big games.
“What he has is potential because there are a lot of really good things to his game and, of course, when you make mistakes at the big clubs, then it gets highlighted even more.
“But he was brought in because he had that potential. He’s not 17 or 18, so he needs to continue with that learning and learn from the mistakes.
“Sometimes that’s just about getting games elsewhere. That’s something we’ve spoken about and we’d be keen to do.
“Lewis just joined the club in the last six months. You saw it with Ryan Christie, a perfect example of if you’re not ready now you can go away on a good loan or a couple of loans and when you come back in and you get your opportunity you’ve got to take it.
“The boys are out here with us, training, and then we’ll see when we get back. I spoke to both of them and they are great guys, as well.”
