Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
How Celtic could look on first day of next season – Tierney and Lustig transfer decisions
CELTIC have some big calls to make in the transfer market this summer as they hunt a ninth consecutive Scottish Premiership title.
Celtic are set for a crucial summer as they look to consolidate following a season of upheaval at Parkhead.
The Hoops coped well with the departure of manager Brendan Rodgers to Leicester midway through the campaign, staying the course to clinch their eighth straight Scottish Premiership.
The champions are also into the Scottish Cup final where they will face Hearts later this month, although they were knocked out of the Europa League at the group stage.
Former boss Neil Lennon was appointed on an interim basis in February but his future is up in the air, greatly impacting any potential transfer dealings this summer.
Celtic are stalling over offering a permanent deal to the Northern Irishman, with Claudio Ranieri reportedly on the club’s shortlist for the hotseat.
New arrivals are therefore expected to wait until the managerial situation has been sorted out, although Newcastle stopper Karl Darlow has been linked with a move north.
Meanwhile, speculation surrounding the future of Kieran Tierney continues to build with the left-back linked to both Napoli and Inter Milan.
The 21-year-old has another four years on his current contract and is believed to be happy at Celtic, having been a lifelong supporter of the club.
While the Hoops will certainly be keen to keep hold of Tierney, the club has a decision to make regarding veteran right-back Mikael Lustig.
The 32-year-old is out of contract this summer and has attracted interest from Stockholm-based AIK, but Celtic may opt to keep the Swede due to a lack of other options.
Loanee Jeremy Toljan is set to return to Borussia Dortmund while Filip Benkovic will also head back to parent club Leicester.
Meanwhile, Oliver Burke’s loan deal will also expire and Dorus de Vries, Cristian Gamboa, Emilio Izaguirre and Dedryck Boyata are all out of contract.
Celtic predicted line-up in 2019/20
(4-2-3-1): Darlow; Lustig, Simunovic, Ajer, Tierney; Brown, McGregor; Forrest, Rogic, Sinclair; Edouard