Whether or not the ongoing pandemic means Celtic have played their final game of the season remains to be seen – that’s something the powers that be will determine.

However, one man who should have played his final game of the campaign and indeed his last match for Celtic is Moritz Bauer.

The Stoke City defender, currently rated at £1.8m, has been on loan at Parkhead this campaign but has endured a relatively unsuccessful spell in Glasgow.

The right-back arrived last summer and got off to a flyer in the famous green and white. In fact, after appearing for 24 minutes during the Old Firm, he then assisted two goals in two matches against Kilmarnock and Dunfermline on his opening starts.

For Bauer, it has been a season of inconsistencies though. In and out of the starting XI and sometimes not even making the squad, he’s been restricted to just 13 appearances in all competitions.

The Austrian – capped six times by his country – could well stay at Celtic next season. When he walked through the doors he came with an option to buy. The fee is unknown but it would be a huge mistake if the Hoops were to utilise that option when the window commences.

After all, he’s been a fringe player at best and subsequently, should have already played his final match and minutes in Glasgow – that’s barring any injuries this term.

Bauer has been behind Jeremie Frimpong in the pecking order, a player Neil Lennon has spoken highly of this term, while he’s also now behind James Forrest too.

Lennon has favoured a system which incorporates three central defenders and two wing-backs. That means there is simply no room for the 28-year-old who has been a perplexing and inconsistent performer in 2019/20.

Bauer's made just three league outings since the turn of the year and hasn’t kicked a single ball for the first-team since the back end of January. Forrest’s appearances at right wing-back have played a huge part in that.

It’s likely that 19-year-old Frimpong will develop even further next term and if a similar style of football is utilised, there is simply no need for someone like Bauer in the squad.

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Nick Hammond and co would simply be throwing money away by landing him on a permanent basis. They must avoid this transfer once the window opens.

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