OPINION
Celtic have certainly made the most of the loan market this season but the problem with temporary signings is they are a short-term stopgap rather than a long-term fix.
There are five players on the books at Parkhead contracted to another club on a permanent basis and all but Daniel Arzani, who saw injury cruelly decimate his season, have made a serious impact, including those signed just last month.
Perhaps the most important to Brendan Rodgers is Filip Benkovic, the centre back signed from Leicester City in the summer, with the Croatian having played 26 times already for the Hoops – and his eventual departure will leave a gaping hole in the heart of the defence.
Filling that void is a task easier said than done but it could be done if Rodgers casts his glances to the King Power Stadium once again, this time for an experienced head rather than a young prospect.
Step forward Leicester captain and Premier League winner Wes Morgan, the veteran finding himself out of contract and therefore up for a free this summer.
When asked about the prospect of a new deal for the 35-year-old, The Mirror quote manager Claude Puel as saying: “I think it is not the moment with the players at the end of their contract. We will see later in the season because it’s important for the club to keep our focus on our next games and to make the right decisions for all the players.”
It does not sound too hopeful for the 30-cap Jamaican international, especially with Benkovic returning and Caglar Soyuncu waiting in the wings, and he would be a brilliant signing to have the Parkhead faithful forgetting about their current loan ace.
Rangers have made the most of free agents in the Premier League in the last 12 months – now it is time for Celtic to take it up to the next level with Morgan.