Left-back Marcelo Saracchi has been in fine form for Celtic this season, and there is going to be a lot of discussion in the summer over a permanent deal for the loan player. He is one that Hoops fans would love to see stay in Glasgow, but will a move be made?
According to Martin O'Neill, it should be. Via The Herald, he said:
"Yeah, I think they will [bring Saracchi to the club permanently]. I think they should do.
Saracchi scored the goal for us. He's a strange wee character. He hasn't a clue what I'm saying to him. Not a clue! I mean, I could be saying anything to him, and he would still say yes to it. I think the club should be looking at something like that."
Saracchi has featured 9 times in the league this season, recording a good match rating according to FotMob and being a player that the fans enjoy seeing. He has been brilliant back-up to Kieran Tierney, and O'Neill has done a great job across both of his terms at the helm to balance both of their playing time.
Should Celtic make a move for Saracchi?
Saracchi is on loan to Celtic from Boca Juniors and has only a year left on his deal there. His parent club will know that the Hoops may be able to barter down his price with this in mind, and they will likely be expecting Celtic to come in at this point.
The bigger question isn't if Celtic will sign him, but if Saracchi would be happy playing a lesser role than he may like to. It's all well and good playing that role while on loan, but doing it while on a permanent deal is a different story.
Kieran Tierney has been in fantastic form this season and has contributed a lot to the Celts. He has been incredible going forward and strong in defence, and Saracchi also offers that.
He has been a constant performer, and despite some moments where fans questioned his defensive ability, he has won over their hearts, especially after his incredible strike against Livingston.
Of course, whether Celtic decides to sign him or not isn't entirely up to O'Neill. We all have it in the back of our minds that a new manager will be coming in for next season, and if Saracchi doesn't fit his style of play, then Hoops fans will have to wave goodbye to the left-back.
The current frontrunner for the Parkhead dugout is Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez. The race is tighter than the odds suggest though, and nothing is confirmed.