Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is contemplating sending Liam Shaw out on loan this January.

What's the talk?

In recent comments cited by Glasgow Live, the Bhoys boss revealed that talks will take place with the 20-year-old regarding his short-term future at the club in the coming weeks, before suggesting that the defensive midfielder could be sent out on a temporary deal in the January transfer window in order to further his development in professional football.

When asked why Shaw, as well as fellow summer signings Osaze Urhoghide and James McCarthy, have played so few minutes this season, the 56-year-old said: "It certainly hasn't been an easy introduction for any of our players and the fact so many of them have already hit the ground running and made an impact is great and positive.

"The key to that is to keep going obviously because again we're only in the early stages of developing this football team and our players. With the three guys you've mentioned, all different scenarios.

"Osaze and Liam, [it's been] difficult for them in the fact that sometimes when you bring in young players - they're certainly players we brought in as development players - [it's] much easier to bring those kinds in when the team is settled.

"But, obviously, we brought them in at a time where a lot of new players are in the team, the team's finding its way. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to get a lot of game time for them but they're working hard at training every day. They're pushing themselves. I believe even though they haven't played, they've improved as footballers. If you train every day with us, one thing I will say is you will improve.

"It's about now getting them the right opportunity, that may be here, that may be a loan deal somewhere but we'll make those decisions come January. We'll sit down with the boys and see what the best way forward is."

Nightmare

While it is indeed true that, should he not be awarded much first-team football under Postecoglou over what remains of the current campaign, a loan away from Parkhead would better suit Shaw's development as a footballer, the fact that the midfielder has not played a single minute senior football this season is rather odd.

Indeed, following an appearance in a pre-season fixture, the 56-year-old appeared to be impressed with what he had seen of the 20-year-old, stating: "Liam Shaw was good [against Sheffield Wednesday]. He grew into the game, like a lot of the young guys. Liam's got a real presence about him. He's a big lad. He's only beginning his steps in the professional world."

Furthermore, it is not as if the midfielder is completely inexperienced in professional football, as he made 19 Championship appearances for Sheffield Wednesday last season, over which he scored one goal and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 0.3 key passes, 0.4 interceptions, 0.7 tackles and winning 3.4 duels per game.

As such, while it is undeniable that Shaw is still very much at the beginning of his professional career, and undoubtedly has much developing to do in the game, when considering the fact that Tom Rogic's injury highlighted just how short Postecoglou is of options in the middle of the park, the argument that sending Shaw out on loan in January could turn into something of a nightmare for Celtic is a rather easy one to make.

Indeed, while there is the January transfer window to consider, should further Celtic players pick up injuries between now and Christmas - the busiest time of the footballing calendar - the manager could well be very much in need of a young and exciting versatile midfielder to plug a gap in his side, something that sending Shaw out on loan would starve Postecoglou of.

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