Former Rangers full back, Alan Hutton, is no friend of the Celtic support for obvious reasons. He often speaks to Football Insider and, in a report about Celtic’s recruitment department, he discussed the hoops and the potential loss of seven players this summer.
According to the website, Celtic are set to appoint Gary Penrice as a scout. Gary formerly worked as a talent spotter for Everton and Leicester City. The news comes as Nick Hammond has been in charge of Celtic’s recruitment for a few months and seeks to change the regime that was left by Lee Congerton and frankly failed miserably.
Amidst such discussion, there was talk of players such as Fraser Forster, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Craig Gordon, Jonny Hayes, Daniel Arzani, Moritz Bauer and Calvin Miller facing the prospect of never pulling on the hoops again.
The other potential exit is obviously Odsonne Edouard, who has attracted a lot of attention from big clubs, despite Neil Lennon rubbishing the chance of a move this year.
“There is a lot of players in there that could be going back to their clubs from loans or getting sold,” Hutton told Football Insider. “Big positions to fill,” he continued, almost excited at the prospect as he no doubt thinks it could signify the elusive 55 (1).
“The money is not there to spend anymore, yes they will spend £10m here or there but it is about trying to find a diamond in the rough. The scouting department is a massive part of Celtic.”
Gordon, Hayes and Miller are out of contract at the end of the season with talks on hold due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, you’d suggest that the first two of that listed trio would be welcome to remain at the club. Forster and Elyounoussi have loan deals expiring, as do Arzani and Bauer. The latter two won’t be pursued one would imagine, but the Southampton duo would be a big coup for Celtic. Finances probably dictate that if a move is made then it will be for one of the two, that player being Forster given his heroics and the likelihood that he will be more willing to compromise on a lower wage agreement rather than be sat on the sidelines.
INVINCIBLE by Matt Corr
The Celtic Star’s very own Matt Corr – who you may also know as a Tour Guide at Celtic Park – publishes his first Celtic book, titled INVINCIBLE – early next month. This beautiful hardback book will be the definitive story of Celtic’s magical 2016-17 season – it truly is wonderful, a real joy to read, and brilliantly written by Matt.
If you have been reading Matt’s regular contributions on The Celtic Star or indeed in the Matchday Programme or in the Celtic View you will know just how talented a Celtic writer he is. The book is published by The Celtic Star and you can pre-order below.
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