BRENDAN RODGERS is preparing for a massive Celtic clear-out in the summer.
That is the view of former Hoops hero Alan Stubbs who believes changes are inevitable following season in which the champions have stumbled several times to concede the prized pole position in the Premiership.
Rodgers has seen his side blow a seven-point advantage in October to trail by two points with only nine games to go in their pursuit of a twelfth title in 13 years.
Liel Abada has joined the winter exodus, as CQN reported last night, with an £8million switch to MLS outfit Charlotte FC.
OUT…Liel Abada has sealed his £8million move to MLS club Charlotte FC.
The Israeli international winger has quit Parkhead only weeks after David Turnbull moved to Championship outfit Cardiff City and Japanese midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi cemented a shift back to his homeland with a three-year deal at Vissel Kobe.
Mikey Johnston (West Brom), Kwon Hyeok-kyu (St Mirren) and Marco Tilio (Melbourne City) also left on loan contracts while centre-back Nat Phillips was returned to Liverpool.
Stubbs is convinced the transfer wheel is ready to receive another multi-million pound spin.
The one-time central defender said: “I think once he gets to the end of the season you will see a lot of changes at Celtic, irrespective of what happens.
“I believe Brendan will give recommendations to the board that there are a lot of players in that squad whom he will want to be moved on.”
The only additions in January have been German winger Nicolas Kuhn, at the cost of £3million from Rapid Vienna, and striker Adam Idah, on a short-term deal from Norwich City.
Stubbs reckons his old club’s present predicament is down to a “lack of activity in the transfer window.”
The former skipper, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “I think Celtic have been in a really strong position the last few years because they have been so much better than Rangers.
“Not just on the pitch, but also off the pitch.
IN…Nicolas Kuhn joined in a £3million switch from Rapid Vienna in January.
“I think they’ve thought that they were good enough with what they’ve had rather than keep driving forward. I think sometimes they have taken chances with players from a very different market that they’d normally deal in.
“Some have been huge success. Some have not been. That is down to recruitment and when Celtic have had the chance to strengthen and put the sword to Rangers in January they were found wanting.
“They never got what they wanted and whatever targets they identified didn’t become available then so be it.
“That happens, but you also have to plan for that and it is as if Celtic have said: ‘We haven’t got them then we will do nothing’.”
Stubbs added: “When I look at it, Rangers have had a good season up until now, but I still think Celtic are favourites for the title race because they have been there, and they have a slightly stronger squad.
“What has come to the fore is that when Celtic have had injuries, the players who have come in are not up to the level.”
Celtic will switch their focus to the Scottish Cup on Sunday when they face strugglers Livingston in the quarter-final at Parkhead.
A league and Cup double is still in their hands, but they are running out of games and it’s clear they cannot afford any more slips.
