January Sales? Who will be part of a Celtic clear out?

Before the 6-0 win over St Johnstone Brendan Rodgers stated that his squad was too large, implying that more players should have been moved on during the summer.

Supporters tend to focus on recruitment but getting rid of players past their usefulness is almost as important a function in ensuring that a motivated and manageable squad is on call.

At the end of this season a large number of Celtic players will be out of contract but they can be divided into a couple of different categories.

Quite clearly Dedryck Boyata won’t be around beyond the end of the season. Many of his international colleague are picking up £200,000 plus a week, as a free agent next summer and at the age of 28 he can expect to pick up a contract paying close to half that figure which is well out of Celtic’s reach.

Most of the other players will leave as natural wastage, their best Celtic days are in the past but currently no one is prepared to match the wages they are collecting while not playing first team football.

Last January’s transfer business turned out to be something of a non-event, no one coming in has made any real impact which had a knock on effect in the summer.

When the transfer window opens in ten weeks time the priority has to be bringing in first team starters, most certainly in defence. Any departures will be a bonus but the main shedding will come next summer as Rodgers really gets on top of the squad with his own stamp.

DERYCK BOYATA

Celtic would find it difficult to resist an offer for a player leaving on a free in the summer but unless a replacement is in the building Brendan Rodgers won’t agree to business.

There is also the small matter of the player having his say. Rather than be bundled into a January transfer he can enjoy another few months of top team football then pick a club on his terms during the summer.

His final season in Glasgow will go down as his finest, discovering a like for like replacement won’t be easy- far from it,

MIKAEL LUSTIG

If another right-back can be signed the chances are that Lustig will move on in January leaving Cristian Gamboa as back-up.

It’s been quite sad to see the way that wear and tear has reduced his powers- 18 months ago he was in his prime but more often than not he has been a factor in goals lost this season.

He has had a great time at Celtic, been part of very memorable times but the end catches up with everyone and January could see a parting of the ways.

SCOTT ALLAN

Will leave every bit as much of a mystery as he arrived.

So far this season he hasn’t played a competitive minute for the first team or kicked a ball in the reserves.

Clearly no club was prepared to match his wages in the summer, that is unlikely to change in the summer leaving him another five months to plot his summer departure which is likely to be outwith Scotland and England.

DORUS DE VRIES

It was assumed in the summer that he had left on a free transfer but the Dutch keeper was unable to find a new club.

Very much a third/fourth choice keeper at Celtic, when the transfer window opens he’ll be 38 years old and unlikely to find another playing deal.

His Celtic time won’t be remembered with any fondness but perhaps he inspired Craig Brown back towards his top form.

RYAN CHRISTIE

Looks to be running down his Celtic contract with the occasional cameo role such as in yesterday’s 4-2 win over Hibs.

He provides Celtic with decent cover but for his own career he needs to get out and sample regular first team football with the English Championship the likely destination.

Unless there are a few new signings coming in in January he will stay put, be on the periphery of the team but capable of putting in worthwhile 20 or 30 minute appearances.

CRISTIAN GAMBOA

Has made a few cheery first team appearances this season but will already be preparing to move on from Scotland.

That could come in January, next summer he’ll be involved with Costa Rica in the Copa America being hosted in Brazil.

International football is his clear priority, he might look back on Celtic as a big opportunity missed.

SCOTT BROWN

There is no prospect of him leaving in January but his position as first pick in the team is now under threat.

Seeing him go off injured after 20 minutes yesterday was an ominous sign but hardly a surprise when you think of the kicking that he has taken over the last decade.

Callum McGregor and Eboue Kouassi stood in for Brown yesterday, Youssef Mulumba is also available with even Nir Bitton on the comeback trail.