Celtic player has great chance to break into the first-team

As a part of the transformation of the Celtic playing squad from the season that just ended, there was a long list of players who were sent out on loan to other clubs. Could that list include a young player who could break into Ange Postecoglou’s first-team plans for next season?

Sometimes, a loan spell can bring a real development in a player’s game. Callum McGregor’s time at Notts County is a great example of that. For some others, it’s a chance to keep playing regularly and seek opportunities elsewhere as they are unlikely to make it into the first-team at Parkhead.

A look at the list of Celtic players out on loan on the official website shows that there are 13 out on a temporary basis at the moment and there may very well be a couple of candidates who may be able to use this upcoming pre-season to stake a claim for a squad position back at Parkhead.

It’s clear that Postecoglou has raised the bar and the first-team quality is becoming significantly higher. Unfortunately, the majority of the loanees are unlikely to be able to meet that standard. Most of these loans will end sooner, but there are two exceptions to that with Conor Hazard in Finland until 2023 and Ewan Henderson’s loan at Hibernian set to become a permanent move.

Can any of the players out on loan make an impact at Celtic?

In some cases, like that of Luca Connell and Jonathan Afolabi, the players have had long enough at the club to make a breakthrough. One bright light amongst the loan list is Scott Robertson who has received great reviews while out on loan at Crewe Alexandra after loan spells at Doncaster Rovers and Gillingham in the 2020/21 season.

Just 20 years of age, he had shown strength and maturity in a central midfield role at Crewe Alexandra until suffering an injury earlier this year.

Central midfield and playing a defensive role suits Robertson and is an area the Hoops could be looking to strengthen in. He stands out as an option who could be considered for the squad next season from that extensive loan players list. Recovery from injury and pre-season opportunities could be critical for him if that turns out to be the case.