Celtic will have a lot on their plate when the transfer window opens next month.
The Bhoys will hopefully have a new manager in place but they will need to address the comings and goings from what could be an unrelenting market at Parkhead.
Reported incoming manager Eddie Howe could lose plenty of faces early in his Hoops reign but there are replacements ready and waiting elsewhere.
What’s the word?
One player Celtic could turn their attentions to this summer is Ryan Gauld.
Once dubbed a ‘Mini Messi’, the 25-year-old was lured away from Dundee United and Scottish football by Sporting Lisbon when he was just a teenager.
Gauld is still plying his trade in Portugal but now features for Farense in the top tier.
He’s enjoyed a fabulous season on the continent but just missed out on being named in Steve Clarke’s squad for the European Championships.
Speaking on A Celtic State of Mind this week, journalist Tony Haggerty claimed he’d be a good addition for the Hoops: “For me, it’s a no-brainer for Celtic to just inquire because he is now a massive person of interest.
“Not just to Celtic but seemingly, there was a story up here that he’s now got 31 clubs interested in him and some concrete offers, as well.”
Gauld was due to become a free agent this summer but Farense have reportedly triggered an extension to his deal. That said, there’s nothing stopping Celtic from continuing to pursue him.
Bye-bye Christie
One of the players who could leave Paradise behind in the coming months is Ryan Christie.
The attacker’s contract expires rather bizarrely in January 2022 so if Celtic want to receive a fee for his services they’d have to let him depart this summer.
Seeing him walk towards the departure lounge won’t be disastrous. After all, Christie endured an abject season.
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He scored just seven goals, 13 fewer than last term, and had a woeful success rate from shots attempted outside of the penalty area.
Signing Gauld, therefore, will give the Celtic hierarchy an extra excuse for selling Christie.
Capable of playing on the wings but primarily through the middle, he occupies similar spaces on the field to Celtic’s enigmatic forward.
The 25-year-old scored nine goals for Farense this term, taking his tally for the club to 20 strikes. He also provided seven assists during a mightily impressive campaign.
Gauld has been a familiar face to a Scottish audience for a considerable period of time and has caught the eye of Gordon Strachan on multiple occasions.
The former Celtic boss described him as “really brave” for making the move to Portugal in the first place.
As he was coming through the ranks, Strachan added: “We wish him all the best [at Sporting], because he has great talent and vision. I hope he can progress and get to where he definitely has a chance of reaching in the game.”
The Scot only played five times for the Sporting first-team but has made a healthy career for himself in Portugal.
Possessing an excellent weight of pass and quick feet, the attacking midfielder could give David Turnbull a run for his money.
Gauld completed 2.4 shots and 2.3 key passes per game this term compared to Turnbull’s 2.2 shots and 2.7 key passes.
Based on that, it’s evident he’d be a huge hit in Glasgow. Celtic must try their best to bring him to Paradise.