Eight out of contract Celtic players futures assessed as five exits could beckon including summer signing

Celtic are hurtling towards the transfer window but there are some stars closer to home who need decisions made on their futures.

Wilfried Nancy has arrived as head coach and has had time to assess what his team needs in the January sales. While some players are set to come in, there are those currently within Celtic Park who are entering the final six months of their contracts.

Some of them are aspiring players keen for a first team chance but others are senior regulars who will provide intrigue, as they become available for pre-contract swoops. Here are those entering into contract uncertainty as per Narey’s Toepoker and our verdict on what comes next.

Jude Bonnar - RELEASE

The midfielder is out on loan at Scott Brown’s Ayr United and is only 20, taking his first steps in senior football. Nancy’s midfield comprises of two stars, however, and they are already loaded on options. Celtic might fancy doing a deal here but you wonder from the player perspective if his chances of breaking into the Hoops engine room are slim, and whether or not getting a new permanent home would be better long-term. With that in mind, we reckon pastures new could be in order here.

Colby Donovan - KEEP

This is a case of when, not if, and if it’s not already been completed and sealed behind the scenes. Donovan has shown he has the mettle to cope with the demands at Celtic and has impressed when handed the chance at right-back. Martin O’Neill said of the right-back during his interim managerial run: “Couldn’t be more pleased with him. Couldn’t be more pleased. I thought that he had a tough time at Hearts. Got left out. He’s come in here. I’ve seen bits of him now that I think, ‘Yeah, wait a minute, there’s a player there’.

“And I thought he was terrific, because he was up against a really decent player. And he coped admirably, considering we were away from home. And, yeah, I couldn’t be more pleased with him. I said to him in the dressing room there that he was magnificent tonight.”

James Forrest - RELEASE

Turning 35 next season, a lack of wingers in the Nancy system doesn’t bode well for the chances of the Celtic icon continuing his illustrious run at Parkhead. Hasn’t been a regular starter and hard to see where he fits in unless converted into a central position. Whenever he goes, deserves a send-off fitting of his service.

Kelechi Iheanacho - RELEASE

Has looked good in the Nancy system in the fleeting moments we’ve seen him but free agent striker signing from the summer hasn’t been able to stay fit. Celtic need someone more reliable.

Sean McCardle - KEEP

Only 18 and been in and around a Partick Thistle side fighting for the title in the Championship. Hasn’t been a regular but did feature prominently in the youth ranks at Parkhead. Not 19 until August and probably worth seeing how his development pans out into his early 20s.

Tobi Oluwayemi - RELEASE

Even amid criticisms of Kasper Schmeichel, the shot-stopper hasn’t managed to make inroads into senior involvement. Time at Kilmarnock may help put him in a shop window, turning 23 in May, having spent time at Cork City, Admira Wacker and Dunfermline Athletic.

Kasper Schmeichel - RELEASE

Speaking of the number one, his displays have been put under the microscope. Will be 40 next season and isn’t going to be the long-term Celtic number one, so it might be time to find him.

Been on loan at Admira Wacker and while he has shown promise during his stints away from Celtic, is older than Bonnar and in the same midfield boat. Probably in need of new permanent scenery.