It’s almost the end of the school year with all of those players that were sent out on loan returning for assessment.
A raft of young players such as Aidan Nesbitt, Kristoffer Ajer and Jamie McCart have advanced their case towards a first team slot at Celtic although further loans are expected for that trio next season.
At the other end of the loan business a number of players will be returning further away than ever from a top team place but with a few seasons remaining on their contracts.
When a player is surplus to requirements at one club it’s difficult to convince another club of their worth. A permanent transfer is out with a loan deal likely to be at the expense of the parent club- effectively paying for a player not to play.
A year ago when he arrived at Celtic one of Brendan Rodgers first tasks was to cut down the size of the first team squad.
Part two of the pruning job will soon be underway, finding loan clubs for those under contract with no prospects at Celtic is a task that even Brendan will struggle to achieve.
NADIR CIFTCI
After joining Pogon Szczecin on loan in January Ciftci is still waiting for his first goal in the Polish league.
After three starts and five appearances as a substitute it just hasn’t happened for the former Dundee United striker.
A return to Celtic is inevitable, as is his non-appearance in Brendan Rodgers plans for next season.
Perhaps a return to Dundee United would be the best option but the current side at Tannadice is unrecognisable from the one that he left for Celtic in July 2015.
SCOTT ALLAN
Relegation seemed inevitable from early on in the season with Rotherham going through three managers before Christmas.
Alan Stubbs didn’t last until November with Allan’s prospects already in decline before the departure of his old Hibs boss.
In total the midfielder managed just four starts in The Championship for a club that picked up 23 points from 46 matches.
It looks like another loan next season for the 25-year-old, possibly to Hibs with the mystery of his transfer to Celtic getting deeper and deeper.
LEO FASAN
Made 10 appearances in total for Port Vale but unfortunately the season ended with relegation.
After making an impressive start to his career in League One he was dropped following a 2-1 defeat at Northampton but returned, and picked up two clean sheets in the last two matches of the season against Walsall and Port Vale.
A win away to Fleetwood on the final day of the season would have kept Port Vale in the division but there wasn’t much more than Fasan could do in a 0-0 draw.
With his contract expiring at the end of May it’s unlikely that the 23-year-old will be back at Celtic Park.
SAIDY JANKO
Missed a big chunk of the season through injury resulting in just seven starts in The Championship and seven substitute appearances.
Janko missed out from December 13 to April 1 but returned to favour as Barnsley’s season petered out.
With Anthony Ralston joining Cristian Gamboa in the queue behind Mikael Lustig it’s difficult to see a future at Celtic for the Swiss youth internationalist.
Having Celtic and Manchester United on his CV will help his cause and probably allow him to get fixed up at a Championship side next season.