Whoever the new manager is at Celtic next season they will not have things easy.

With a number of their best players linked with the exit door, a colossal rebuilding job will be required for the Bhoys at Parkhead.

On the chalkboard

One name linked with a fresh start is Ryan Christie. The Scot attracted interest from English Premier League teams during the winter and now his departure feels inevitable.

His contract expires in January 2022 and recent reports indicate that he could command a seven-figure fee in the summer.

Christie’s exit won’t come as a great loss to the Hoops. He may have racked up 20 goals last term but this season has been a disaster from the attacker’s perspective.

He has only found the net on seven occasions and has managed to beat the goalkeeper just once in his last 20 outings in the Premiership.

Much-maligned by various sectors of the Celtic fan base, it would come of great relief to many to see him finally walk through the door for pastures new.

Who is his replacement?

Celtic could turn to a number of players in the transfer window but one individual linked with an arrival is Egypt international Mohamed Afsha.

The 25-year-old is a rising star of Egyptian football and starred for Al-Ahly on their way to winning the African Champions League this campaign.

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A diminutive figure at 5 foot 7, Afsha lacks plenty to his physical game but his technical abilities more than make up for that.

A creative force, he has provided eight assists this team, six of which have come from only 15 league matches. Afsha also knows where the back of the net is, scoring 12 goals during the course of his career with Al-Ahly.

Like Christie, the midfielder is capable of playing on the flanks but it’s through the middle where he can really make an impact.

Speaking about Afsha back in January, his former manager Ante Cacic said: “The best player in Egypt for me is Mohamed Magdy Afsha.”

Cacic added: “I watched his goal and watched the Champions League final. He’s a great player who had a great influence on the match and linked well between the lines. He is a wonderful player and has a great influence on Al Ahly’s performances.”

Although his goal scoring nature will turn heads at Parkhead, it’s his ability to link play that should be most encouraging.

After all, Christie hasn’t been productive in that department this term. He has scored only one goal from 51 attempts outside the box, taking a shot on rather than looking for a key pass.

Afsha has his own tendencies to go for goal but as his record and Cacic’s words dictate, he is creative too.

Dominic McKay would be making a shrewd acquisition here.

AND in other news, Dominic McKay is already on the verge of his first major Celtic mistake...