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Break up of the Invincibles

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There is something not quite right about Celtic even though the team is just two wins away from a second treble.

Last season the team scored in every match but since losing 4-0 at Hearts in December there has been various stalemates with much of the magic gone from the players that excited last season.

Scott Brown and Kieran Tierney have more or less maintained their standards, and James Forrest too to a lesser extent but Brendan Rodgers will know better than anyone that a certain something isn’t there.

The Celtic boss is ruthless in most situations and won’t allow standards to slip any further next season with a fairly radical overhaul expected in the summer.

The Invincible season has set a new benchmark but it seems that perhaps sub-consciously a number of players have lost the hunger, desire and drive that characterised last season.

Contracts play a massive role in football these days with clubs loathe to allow anyone into their final season- just as players and agents like to keep their options open.

Rodgers will already know exactly what he wants his side to look like next season- it could be that players from the Invincible Season will be in the minority when season 2018/19 gets going.

JOZO SIMUNOVIC

Has been out of the starting XI since being sent off at Ibrox and looks highly unlikely to find a way back into favour.

After showing great patience in restoring him to fitness it seems that Rodgers decided in mid-season that it is time to look at other options.

Despite signing a contract extension in September it seems certain that Simunovic will be on the move in the summer with a deal to the continent more likely than the physically demanding English game.

DEDRYCK BOYATA

With the World Cup looming and no updates about contract talks Brendan Rodgers is bond to be looking at life beyond Boyata.

Kris Ajer and Jack Hendry are very viable options although a more experienced player would be welcome with serious question marks over Marvin Compper.

The manager has more faith in Boyata than the fans but with just over a year left on his contract he’ll be out of contention for a place if, as seems likely, no new contract is signed.

MOUSSA DEMBELE

A third season from the French striker seems highly unlikely.

This season has been more cold than hot but Dembele does retain the happy knack of dominating and scoring in the games that matter most.

The January transfer window was stressful for all concerned, it’s hard to see Celtic resisting any offer around £20m in the summer, reinvesting some of that fee and hoping that Leigh Griffiths can shine again in the Champions League qualifiers.

SCOTT SINCLAIR

His form this season, especially since the turn of the year has been a complete mystery.

Last season’s match-winner has virtually disappeared with both of the recent wins over Sevco achieved without the former Aston Villa man in the starting XI.

After a recent transfer story Celtic and the player published a statement explaining how happy he was at Celtic but things can change quickly in football, very quickly.

STUART ARMSTRONG

Has kept very quiet about his intentions after contract talks dominated through last summer and impacted on his start to this season.

The midfielder has a very straightforward choice to make- does he want to continue to develop as a player under Brendan Rodgers or would he rather jump at a big money move to England and hope that it all turns out well?

Armstrong was as important a part in last season’s success as anyone in Rodgers’ squad but without the Irishman his career could return to the position it was in under Ronny Deila.

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