Departure bhoys lined up for a frantic week of activity

The next five days promises to be incredibly hectic with what appears to be two months of transfer ‘activity’ packed into a short stretch.

Bringing new players in is very much the focus but for each arrival there is likely to be at least one departure.

The loan market is likely to be used to give players like Calvin Miller game time with fringe players moving out to create space for the better prospects in Tommy McIntyre’s Reserve squad.

Despite the lack of Champions League football a clear ‘not for sale’ sign has been placed on the key players that were integral to last season’s success.

Contract issues are pivotal in departures with half a dozen players into the final season of their deals. When no offer has been made at this stage it’s quite clear that their future lies elsewhere.

To say that the transfer window has been a disappointment is something of an understatement but the chances are that Celtic will be at the centre of activity over the coming week- with a Europa League play-off and Glasgow derby also involved it promises to be a spell that will have a heavy bearing on how the season shapes up.

DEDRYCK BOYATA

No one can predict how this one is going to turn out with another week of drama expected.

The English and Italian transfer windows have closed which leaves Spain and Turkey as the most realistic options for the defender.

Today’s appearance against Hamilton Accies confirms his match fitness, whether that is for future Celtic matches or a move elsewhere only time will tell.

RYAN CHRISTIE

Sunderland boss Jack Ross spoke positively about the attacking midfielder in midweek opening the option of a loan with a view to a permanent deal in January.

With Celtic’s first team squad stretched pretty tight it’ll probably take a couple of arrivals to allow Christie to be moved out.

His wage levels rule out any chance of being included in a deal for Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna, if he misses out on being named in the Scotland squad it will strengthen his resolve to move on.

TONY RALSTON

Hasn’t had a look in this season despite the problems Celtic have had at right-back which doesn’t bode well for the season ahead.

His development has stalled over the last 11 months but he has to look at the season ahead and the chance to get regular football at a decent level.

After being at Dundee United he will be hoping to get an SPFL Premiership side or the chance to play in the English Championship.

SCOTT ALLAN

It looks like the midfielder is ready to stay put unless an outstanding offer comes his way- not a loan move to Rotherham or Dundee.

In the fourth year of his Celtic contract he is no closer to getting a regular game despite being one of the top midfielders in the SPFL last season when he moved on loan to Hibs.

Six years ago he left Dundee United for West Brom, great things have been predicted but it looks like he’ll need to move abroad to realise that potential, perhaps a move to the MLS would suit his style.

CALVIN MILLER

It seems that Dens Park will be his home for the remainder of this season with Brendan Rodgers keen to see how him get real game time.

Emilio Izaguirre offers cover for Kieran Tierney at left-back allowing Miller to get out and get some serious minutes of first team football.

Being back-up to KT is a thankless task, he’ll certainly learn about the craft of defending with Dundee and come back to Celtic a more rounded player.

EBOUE KOUASSI

Almost like Scott Allan in terms of his Celtic career, mysterious.

It looked like his luck was turning in January when he impressed against Hearts and Zenit St Petersburg but after the return match in Russia he dropped out of contention.

It seemed unfair to judge him on his recent appearance at Tynecastle but after 18 months with little match action it is essential that he gets out on loan to get his game moving in the right direction again.