Behind the celebrations of Celtic’s 5-2 win over Hapoel Beer Sheva there was some telling team news delivered by Brendan Rodgers.
Since the day that he arrived in Glasgow Rodgers has had to trim the squad that he inherited with some big names sitting in the stand watching last night’s action.
As well as his four new signings the hoops boss has handed out new contracts to James Forrest and Tom Rogic with both players making last night’s starting XI.
With one or more new signings to come in and Patrick Roberts to return from injury the quality element in the squad is being increased with a number of players finding themselves further out in the cold.
Rodgers has proved to be the perfect diplomat in his dealings with players, talking them up in public even after high profile mistakes before quietly binning them, ask Efe.
With a fortnight left in the transfer window it’s likely that there will be a number of players moving out as they see their chances of first team football being seriously restricted.
Many of those players will depart Celtic with SPFL winners medals but there can be no denying Rodgers ruthless streak as he goes about getting the absolute maximum out of his squad.
Last night Moussa Dembele found out that being a recent signing means little to his gaffer as the former Fulham striker started the game on the bench with Scott Sinclair preferred to
play alongside Leigh Griffiths.
More changes are on the way CLICK HERE for the gallery of players that are on their way out of Celtic Park.
STUART ARMSTRONG
Found himself in the starting XI as recently as the away game with Hearts but unable to get a place on the bench last night.
Last season was a virtual non-event for the former Dundee United midfielder who has failed to kick on from the promise he showed immediately following his transfer from Tannadice.
With so many midfielders competing for places it looks ominous for Armstrong with Ryan Christie and Liam Henderson closer to a starting place.
EMILIO IZAGUIRRE
The decline of Izzy continues with the Honduran unable to find a place on the bench against Hapoel.
He started last season unopposed as first choice left back but has fallen out of contention almost as quickly as Kieran Tierney has cemented his place in the team.
There are no other left-back options at Celtic but Rodgers went without Izzy last night preferring to shuffle the formation in the event of an injury to Tierney than provide a like for like replacement on the bench.
STEFAN JOHANSEN
Like Izaguirre his demise over the last 12 months has been eye-popping.
At one stage he was the first choice centre midfielder but barely rates a mention as he misses out on the big games he was once thought to be essential for.
A move to Galatasaray seems likely but tellingly there seems to be little interest from England where it would have been assumed his all-action style of play would have been best suited.
KRIS COMMONS
After surviving the axe from Ronny Deila it looks unlikely that Commons will make the cut under Brendan Rodgers.
Last season was disappointing for the player who would have been looking for his 100th Celtic goal, it seems that his card was marked from the fall-out with John Collins in Molde.
Patrick Roberts, Scott Sinclair and James Forrest are Rodgers’ preferred choices for the wide positions with Commons looking set for a low key departure after playing a leading role in 5-in-a-row.
EFE AMBROSE
The axe has been a long time coming but after being signed by Neil Lennon and persisted with by Ronny Deila the end is nigh under Brendan Rodgers.
Long term interest from Turkey has failed to materialise into a bid with other suggestions of offers from China and Germany also amounting to little.
With half a dozen central defensive options Efe and his acrobatic celebrations won’t be seen again, with his contract ending next summer his severance package is probably already being discussed.
GARY MACKAY-STEVEN
Like his pal Stuart Armstrong it looks like time up for the former Dundee United winger.
A close season operation didn’t help his cause but you’d be hard pushed to find anyone stating his case ahead of Patrick Roberts, Scott Sinclair and James Forrest.
There were flashes of magic during his first six months at the club but GMS looks like going the same way as most of Ronny Deila’s signings in making a quiet almost un noticed exit.