As Brendan Rodgers lays down his benchmark for how his Celtic side will play and develop there are bound to be players left behind- casualities…
For every new face that the fans thrill to there is a player left behind on the sidelines, with a contract that makes movement very difficult.
Rodgers didn’t waste any time cutting Anthony Stokes and Stefan Scepovic adrift when a number of fans felt that both strikers had something to offer.
Carlton Cole and Colin Kazim Richards will forever be associated with the darkest days of Ronny Deila’s Celtic tenure but both players had the savvy to realise that it was time up with the appointment of the Irishman.
Rodgers initial recruitment seemed slow with the suggestion being that players had to be moved on before fresh faces could be added but the performances against Lincoln Red Imps and Astana seemed to bring some urgency to the issue of incoming business.
Shifting players is never easy with the leftover from Deila’s squad in no rush to reduce their wages in order to try out a fresh challenge.
It’s unlikely that the January transfer window will be any easier with the likelihood being that players will be loaned out rather than permanent deals.
Despite half a season of idleness players won’t be rushed out the door unless it is made worth their while financially which sets a dangerous precedent that no well run club would wish to follow.
CLICK HERE for the five casualties of the Rodgers Revolution
EFE AMBROSE
Started the competitive season as a first choice pick in defence and was defended to the hilt by Rodgers- until other options became available.
An own goal for Barcelona in Dublin was his last contribution to the team- four days later Kolo Toure made his debut as a substitute against Astana as the door closed on Andrews Celtic career.
Rumours of interest from Turkey and Germany proved to be unsubstantiated with the transfer window closing with Andrews still at Celtic with the clock ticking down on the final season of his deal.
DEDYRCK BOYATA
From Belgian internationalist to Celtic outcast in the space of less than six months.
An injury picked up in the Scottish Cup semi final in April ended the defenders season and it looks like ending his Celtic career.
Rodgers made a big deal of Boyata’s return from injury against Inter Milan in Limerick but has shown no inclination since then to provide more match time.
With Kolo Toure, Erik Sviatchenko, Jozo Simunovic and Eoghan O’Connell all ahead of Boyata for a place in defence his future seems certain to be away from Celtic Park.
Having played for Manchester City and at international level there should be some interest in taking the defender out on loan but his wages and Celtic attempting to get something back on their £1.5m transfer fee will make negotiations difficult.
LOGAN BAILLY
Could have been given a chance when Craig Gordon’s form dipped but his own injury opened the door to Dorus de Vries.
Bailly signed a three year contract in 2015 but now looks to be third choice keeper denied even a place on the bench and the prospect of a change in fortunes.
Managers do seem to like stockpiling keepers which should work in Bailly’s favour but if any offer was to come in it seems certain that his brief Celtic career will come to a halt.
KRIS COMMONS
Injury has ruled the attacking midfielder out of action so far this season but it’s difficult to see where the former Derby County man would fit in to Rodgers’ set up.
The same questions were raised when Ronny Deila replaced Neil Lennon but it’s always easier to break into an unsuccessful team than one that is on song.
Scott Sinclair, Tom Rogic and James Forrest have all been given new deals since Rodgers arrived lengthening the odds of Commons making a return to first team action.
GARY MACKAY-STEVEN
Speculation of a loan deal to Ross County was quickly doused down with the former Dundee United man still to recover from end of season ankle surgery.
After his dynamic start as a Celtic player his demise looks equally dramatic as a new broom with new ideas based on explosive pace takes root.
Mackay-Steven looked like a replacement for James Forrest when he was signed in February 2015 but the form of the current Scotland man makes it highly unlikely that GMS will get a chance to impress his new club manager.