Celtic Must Act Early in Transfer Market Ahead of Champions League Qualifiers
Celtic are undoubtedly already planning for next season, and securing key signings early will be crucial to supporting Brendan Rodgers—especially with Champions League qualifiers set to take place before the domestic campaign kicks off.
Despite making progress in Europe this season, Celtic will need to navigate a qualification phase to reach the group stage due to Scotland’s declining UEFA coefficient. That makes the upcoming summer transfer window all the more important, particularly after a lackluster winter window.
One area of focus is the left-back position, where Greg Taylor has been the primary choice until the arrival of Jeffrey Schlupp on loan in January. With Taylor yet to commit to a new contract and potentially on his way out, Celtic have a clear opportunity to secure Schlupp on a permanent deal.
Jeffrey Schlupp’s Best Option Could Be Celtic
Currently on loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season, the 32-year-old may not have a better opportunity than staying with Celtic beyond the summer. Pundit Michael Stewart believes the Scottish champions will look to put a deal in place, pointing out that Schlupp is “doing nothing at Crystal Palace.”
Speaking to Premier Sports, Stewart highlighted the contrast in options for the player:
“From Jeffrey Schlupp’s perspective—oh my word. You’re sitting on the bench at Crystal Palace, or you’re at Celtic, playing against teams like Bayern Munich and competing for trophies.
“Come the summer, I imagine Celtic will try to sign him. His decision will be: what better option does he have? He might not start every game, but with the number of matches Celtic play, he’d still get plenty of minutes.”
Schlupp Has Adapted Well to Rodgers’ System
Despite limited game time at Palace earlier in the season, Schlupp has slotted seamlessly into Rodgers’ tactical setup at Celtic, quickly establishing himself as the starting left-back. His performance against Bayern Munich in the Champions League showcased his ability, and he reinforced his impact with a goal in the recent win over St Mirren.
Stewart also praised Schlupp’s versatility, noting how well he fits into Celtic’s playing style:
“The interesting thing about Schlupp is that he can push forward comfortably. He naturally steps inside in a way that suits the team’s approach. He’s adapted to the system straight away.”
With Celtic also rumored to have a deal in place for Kieran Tierney, the left-back position could see significant reinforcement this summer. Whether Schlupp remains part of those plans will depend on negotiations, but his performances so far suggest he could be a valuable asset for the Hoops moving forward.
