SHOCKING NEWS : 8 Celtic players set to become free agents including Treble heroes and transfer flops……
Celtic Park has been a stepping stone for some famous names over the years.
The likes of Virgil van Dijk and Jeremie Frimpong made their names in Glasgow before going on to world stardom with Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen. Parkhead has been a revolving door in recent seasons and like any club, players come and go. Some will be remembered more fondly than others but that’s part and parcel of football and the nature of the transfer market.
Over the piece, Celts have unearthed their fair share of gems and a couple who have contributed to their unprecedented dominance throughout the last decade may well be on the move this summer. From Treble-winners to big-money flops, Football Scotland takes a look at the eight former Celts who are poised to become free agents.
Scott Sinclair
Arguably the biggest name on this list, Sinclair has spent the last two seasons at first club Bristol Rovers. Now 35, the veteran winger’s best days are obviously behind him but with four goals in 16 League One starts, Sinclair still has plenty to offer. Anyone who follows the ex-Hoops hero on Instagram will see that the treble Treble-winner is still in remarkable shape so it’s unlikely he’ll be planning to hang up the boots anytime soon.
Stuart Armstrong
Another serial winner at Celtic who is entering the twilight years of his career is Scotland playmaker Armstrong. The 32-year-old faces a race against time to be fit for the Euros after suffering a season-ending injury for Southampton. He may well have played his last game for Saints too as his contract expires this summer. Boss Russell Martin would love to keep him, but after six years at St Mary’s, Armstrong may wish to try his luck abroad.
Jonny Hayes
Don’t be surprised to see Hayes retire this summer. The popular Irishman has carved out an impressive career in Scotland, winning two Trebles at Celtic, plus a League Cup with Aberdeen. However, the 36-year-old has fallen out of favour at Pittodrie and with his contract up this summer, he’s one of several former Hoops players who have been linked with the Under-18s job at Parkhead. Hayes has gained coaching experience with at the Dons’ academy over the last year and he could be set for a return to Glasgow’s east end.
Gary Mackay-Steven
Like Hayes, GMS could decide to pull the curtain down on his career. In his peak years at Dundee United, the winger was one of the most exciting players in Scotland but the ex-Celt has endured a difficult couple of years with injuries. Released by Hearts last summer, the 33-year-old was given a short-term deal at Kilmarnock but he’s only made a handful of cameos under Derek McInnes. Faces a major decision this summer.
Scott Allan
Allan joined Larne on a surprise season-long loan from Arbroath last summer but he’s only made 11 appearances overall for the Northern Irish side. The ex-Hibs idol can probably count himself blessed to still be involved in football after tackling various health challenges in his life. Allan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just three-years-old before discovering a heart condition at the age of 29. That’s undoubtedly impacted his career, but the gifted playmaker can hold his head high when the day comes to retire.
Efe Ambrose
A cult hero in Scottish football, big Efe may find himself a career crossroads this summer as his Queen of the South contract comes to an end. Now 35, the Nigerian might yet be offered an opportunity to add a seventh SPFL club to his playing CV. He’s racked up 32 appearances for the Doonhamers this season but has fallen out of favour in recent weeks.
Adam Matthews
The Welsh right-back was one of several former SPFL players who followed Neil Lennon to Cyprus in 2022. Yet while Lenny was sacked after just seven months, Matthews has managed to stick around for the long haul by becoming a mainstay. The 32-year-old will probably look back with regret after deciding to quit Celtic for basket case Sunderland in 2015 and his career hasn’t quite reached the heights many predicted.
Boli Bolingoli
Covidiot Bolingoli probably summed up Celtic’s disastrous ten-in-a-row campaign when he went AWOL during the height of pandemic restrictions. The left-back made an unsanctioned trip to Spain on holiday which effectively ended his Parkhead career. Now on the books of KV Mechelen, the 28-year-old has spent most of the year on the sidelines through injury and the cousin of Romelu Lukaku will likely be on the hunt for a new club.
