Yosuke Ideguchi recently returned to Japan, signing for Avispa Fukuoka of the J1 League on a year-long loan.
Celtic now have 12 players out on loan. But how many of them will return to play for Ange’s first team?
Vasilis Barkas
Signed on 30 June 2020 from AEK Athens for a reported fee of £2.95 million, rising to £5 million based on appearances.
GK / Age 28 / 24 apps / 11 shut-outs.
On loan at Utrecht.
SELL: Celtic will be keen to move him on before the transfer fee add-ons kick in.
Liam Scales
Signed on 27 August 2021 from Shamrock Rovers for a reported fee of £500,000.
CB or LB / Age 24 / 13 apps / 2 goals / 2 assists.
Currently on loan at Aberdeen.
SELL: Ange has further strengthened in Scales’ positions, leaving little room for a return of the Irishman.
Adam Montgomery
Academy graduate.
LB / Age 20 / 20 apps / 1 assist.
Currently on loan at St Johnstone.
KEEP: Has gained invaluable first-team experience over the last year with nearly 40 appearances for Aberdeen and St Johnstone.
Ismaila Soro
Signed on 22 January 2020 from Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv for a reported fee of £2 million.
DM / Age 24 / 43 apps / 1 goal / 1 assist.
On loan at Arouca.
SELL: Soro didn’t fit Ange’s system in the 19 games he played, and would not displace any of the current midfielders.
signed on 1 July 2021 from Sheffield Wednesday for a reported fee of £200,000.
CB or FB / Age 22 / 1 app.
On loan at KV Oostende.
SELL: Signed 20 days after Ange arrived, suggesting Osaze was a ‘legacy’ signing. Would be best to continue his development in Belgium
Johnny Kenny
Signed on 8 January 2022 from Sligo Rovers for a reported fee of £125,000.
CF / Age 19 / 0 apps.
On loan at Shamrock Rovers.
SELL: Kenny failed to settle in Glasgow, and his loan period at Queen’s Park was poor. A move back to Ireland would work for all parties.
Albian Ajeti
Signed on 13 August 2020 from West Ham for a reported fee of £5 million.
CF / Age 25 / 48 apps / 9 goals / 5 assists.
Currently on loan at Sturm Graz (Austria).
SELL: We could have signed Toney…
Liam Shaw
Signed on 1 July 2021 from Sheffield Wednesday for a reported fee of £300,000.
DM / Age 21 / 2 apps.
Currently on loan at Morecambe.
SELL: Ange has recently brought in Iwata, so the chances of Shaw edging into the starting XI ahead of him are extremely unlikely.
Academy graduate.
LW or RW / Age 23 / 79 apps / 11 goals / 10 assists.
Currently on loan at Vitória de Guimarães (Portugal).
KEEP: Johnston has time on his hands and a lengthy contract at Celtic. His time in Portugal should aid his development for a Celtic return.
Tobi Oluwayemi
Academy graduate.
GK / Age 19 / 0 apps.
Currently on loan at Cork City.
KEEP: Tobi has won caps for England at every under-aged level from 16s to 19s and is very highly regarded by Celtic’s coaching team. He’ll return as second or third choice at Celtic.
Yosuke Ideguchi
Signed on 1 January 2022 from Gamba Osaka for a fee of £750,000.
CM / Age 26 / 6 apps.
Currently on loan at Avispa Fukuoka.
SELL: Injury hasn’t helped Guchi, but his European endeavours have been fruitless in 4 different countries.
At his age, he must move on.
Ewan Otoo
Academy graduate.
CB or LB / Age 20 / 0 apps.
Currently on loan at Dunfermline.
KEEP: Otoo impressed during the 15 games he played whilst on loan at Clyde. More game time in Scotland’s third tier will benefit this Scottish under-aged international.
Celtic have a £12 million team of players out on loan, but how many will we make any financial return on? And how many of them will play a part in Ange’s side next season or beyond?
Offloading eight of the players mentioned would free up wages and recoup some of the initial outlays on some of these flop buys. If Ange can reinvest this in three or four quality players, this will work towards a far stronger squad for his third term in charge.
BOBBY GORDON
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