OPINION
The Celtic camp will surely be in a jubilant mood after their 4-0 success over Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final at the weekend, but attacker Charly Musonda may still cast a disgruntled figure.
Brendan Rodgers’ side produced a brilliant display to smash their Old Firm rivals and keep their hopes of a back-to-back treble alive.
However, one man who was snubbed from the 18-man squad altogehter was Musonda and he has endured a torrid spell so far at Parkhead.
The 21-year-old joined the Scottish giants in January on an 18-month loan deal and the manager has explained that he is likely to play a more prominent role next season.
He has made just seven appearances since his switch from Chelsea and been a peripheral figure.
“He’s (Musonda) here for the 18 months and by the end of that he knows he is going to be a better player,” Rodgers said, as quoted by the Daily Record.
“He’ll make some appearances from when he arrived in January to the end of this season. Then I think next season will be a big one for him to make his mark.”
There is a suggestion that the Belgian playmaker will become more important to Celtic in the next campaign, but that seems very unlikely if he can’t even make the bench for an Old Firm clash.
Musonda was sent to Scotland to enjoy regular first-team experience and is still viewed by many as a rising star at Stamford Bridge.
However, Chelsea observers will see that the blistering winger is being starved of minutes by Rodgers and it would be no surprise to see his loan contract ripped up in the summer.
Musonda must be be infuriated that he was not involved in the huge showdown against Rangers and things have not gone to plan since his move.