This summer has the potential to see a whole merry-go-round of change at Celtic. Neil Lennon has already left while it’s just months before Peter Lawwell retires.

With a potential 12-man exodus of the playing staff, it only heightens their need to not only find a new manager but also identify the correct director of football swiftly.

First on the agenda will be sorting out the dressing room and working out how to keep the talented Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer at the club. Both have been linked with moves away and it feels only inevitable that at least one of them will depart.

Edouard has been the club’s top scorer for a number of years in a row now while Ajer is the backbone of Celtic’s defence. Losing both, therefore, would be incredibly bad news.

Considering how poor the Hoops’ defence has been this term, replacing Ajer seems more achievable than finding the heir to Edouard’s throne.

Indeed, the club almost found the centre-back’s successor during the winter window. On deadline day, Celtic made a late move to try and sign Tottenham defender Japhet Tanganga on loan.

Jose Mourinho ultimately blocked the transfer and he stayed south of the border. That being said, if Ajer does walk through the Parkhead exit door, the Bhoys should consider reviving their interest in Tanganga.

A talented defender, the 21-year-old from Hackney is a versatile individual. Like Celtic’s Norwegian colossus, Tanganga is capable of playing at right-back and in the centre of defence.

Ajer feels more at home in the middle and that’s where the Spurs youngster could star if he makes the move to Glasgow.

He’s relatively untested at the top level but we’ve already seen shades of immense qualities in big games. Tanganga made his Premier League debut for Spurs against Liverpool at right-back, a match the Lilywhites ultimately lost 1-0.

Though, the youngster stood out by winning two aerial duels and two tackles. Speaking after the game, talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino commented: “Paul McGrath he reminded me of. The way he played. He runs with pace and you can tell he sees things quickly, he gets there. He made a couple of last-ditch challenges.”

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Tanganga then shone at left-back just a couple of weeks later when Spurs defeated Manchester City 2-0. On that occasion, the defender won three aerial battles, made four tackles and completed three interceptions.

Similarly to Ajer, the £25k-per-week earner is a robust unit, one capable of dominating even the highest calibre attacks.

He’d make a first-class replacement for the Norway international if Nick Hammond can complete a deal. He is young, confident and a real weapon at the back.

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