Former Celtic star and current Sky Sports pundit Kris Commons has voiced his serious doubts over the future of Hoops stars Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney as well as manager Neil Lennon heading into the summer.
The Bhoys are on course for their eighth consecutive league title and could pick up a third consecutive domestic treble with victory in the Scottish Cup.
However, Commons believes that McGregor and Tierney could be in high demand in the transfer window while also highlights the possibility of the Bhoys almost completely overhauling their defence, all while remaining uncertain as to who might be in the dugout.
Talking about the Hoops’ summer plans on Sky Sports News (29/04, 11:21), he said: “I think Celtic at this minute in time, like any transfer window, you’re praying that Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor are still in the building.
“I think also you’ve got to look at the backroom staff, is Neil Lennon going to be there? Who’s going to be taking charge? You’ve got those Champions League qualifiers that come around so very, very quickly.
“You’re looking at possibly a whole new defence being put together; Benkovic, Boyata, Simunovic who’s been in and out with injury, you know Kieran Tierney’s got an injury, Mikael Lustig’s had injuries. so there’s a huge defensive side of things that Celtic need to get right going into these qualifiers.”
Opinion
Celtic fans best be prepared for a busy time this summer as the board decide not only who to bring in during the transfer window but who best to lead the club as manager. Lennon looks to be the front runner but nothing is set in stone as of yet. That uncertainty could lead to potential suitors looking at snapping up the club’s top talents and as Commons rightly pointed out, McGregor and Tierney have got to be the prime candidates to leave. The left back looks destined for bigger and brighter things and the Hoops faithful should be glad they have managed to keep him on board for as long as he has. McGregor meanwhile has the quality, not to mention the versatility, to make a real difference in the midfield of many clubs. As for the defence, a completely new back four would not come as a huge surprise but you have got to question the sort of impact that would have in terms of the balance and understanding between the players ahead of next season.