“I wouldn’t normally say anything on anything,” Celtic boss on Bobby Clark link

Celtic are not short of midfield options. If anything, midfield is one of the most competitive areas of Brendan Rodgers’ squad. Had the club been linked with a winger, particularly given the ongoing need for more creativity from the right-hand side, supporters might have understood the logic. And while Clark has occasionally featured wide or as a more advanced option, his natural role is as a midfielder, operating centrally rather than out wide.

So, if there is genuine interest, could that signal an impending departure?

Paulo Bernardo, who joined Celtic permanently last season after an initial loan from Benfica, has struggled for minutes this campaign and could be one to watch, after all there were rumours he was wanted back in Portugal over the summer.

Luke McCowan remains a useful squad player but has yet to cement a guaranteed place in the starting XI, but he’s living all supporters dream, he’s a homegrown option for European squads, and he seems as happy with that as the club are with him.

And then there’s Arne Engels, whose early promise appears to have been overshadowed by the emergence of Benjamin Nygren, arguably the only central midfielder in the squad who consistently offers goals and assists or even breaks into the box these days. Engels, notably, was the subject of interest from Atalanta in the summer, and if those links resurface in January, Celtic may find themselves considering bids, so there may be something in that.

And then there’s Reo Hatate. He is currently in one of his more sluggish periods, showing glimpses rather than consistent impact, but there’s little doubt he will regain form in due course. The bigger question now is his future at Celtic. Now in his fifth season at the club, is Hatate ready for a new challenge elsewhere, or have Celtic asked him to hang on a little longer, much like they did with Daizen Maeda in the summer, with a potential move on the horizon in January?

His situation adds another layer of intrigue to Celtic’s midfield planning and could influence any decision regarding incoming signings like Bobby Clark.

Brendan Rodgers’ own situation also looms large over Celtic’s planning. The manager is out of contract in the summer, and while both parties have so far kept discussions low-key, it may be possible the club are looking to demonstrate the kind of ambition Rodgers called for throughout the last transfer window. Moves such as a potential bid for Bobby Clark could be interpreted as evidence that Celtic’s board are prepared to back their manager more assertively.

Interestingly, prior to Clark’s switch to Salzburg, Celtic were credited with an interest in the youngster. But, at the time Pep Lijnders – previously assistant to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool — was instrumental in persuading the player to join the Austrian side instead. That move did not work out as planned. Lijnders himself is no longer Salzburg manager, having been dismissed after just 29 games, and Clark struggled for game time in Austria. Perhaps, then, Celtic see a second opportunity, one that would strengthen the squad while also sending a timely message of intent to Rodgers.

Of course, it’s possible the speculation around Clark is premature, or even inaccurate. But given the reliability of the original report, the story won’t disappear easily. Whether or not the move materialises, it adds intrigue to an already fascinating picture ahead of the January transfer window. If Celtic are seriously considering a move for Clark, it likely means someone is on their way out.

For now, the situation remains uncertain, but with a trusted journalist reporting it, this is a story that may yet develop further in the coming weeks. It will be interesting to see it play out.

Here’s Brendan’s media conference from earlier today….

Niall J

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