Transfer Latest – Celtic set to finally shift deadwood from squad

Celtic are reportedly on the verge of clearing out some of the players that are surplus to requirements at Celtic Park currently before the close of the transfer window on Friday. Both Albian Ajeti and Ismaila Soro remain on the books despite repeated attempts by the club to move them on to pastures new.

Both men were signed under Neil Lennon and really failed to have the desired impact that both he, the club and supporters would have wanted when they first arrived. Ajeti undoubtedly had decent pedigree; having played in Switzerland for Basel and also starring and scoring in the UEFA Champions League group stages.

Soro was more of a punt if truth be told, as we purchased him from the happy hunting ground of Israeli football in the January of 2020. Although showing some early promised that he may be able to replace Scott Brown as that battle-hardened workhorse in the midfield area, he quickly fell out of favour with previous boss Ange Postecoglou dubbing him unfit for purpose in his Celtic side.

It seems that Brendan Rodgers feels the exact same and now both players look set to finally end there Parkhead spells. According to a report on The Celtic Star, Ajeti is wanted in Turkey by Gaziantep, whilst Ivorian Soro could make a dramatic return to Israel with Beitar Jerusalem in the coming days. The club will take a significant hit on both men and will have surely learned valuable lessons moving forward.

When Peter Lawwell spoke after appointing Neil Lennon as Celtic manager after the Scottish Cup win over Hearts in May 2019 he told us that one of Lennon’s main attributes was that he had an eye for a player. Both Ajeti and Soro were then signed as indeed was the likes of Barkas, Duffy and others. Some eye!

Paul Gillespie