Celtic’s left back dilemmas and uncertainties

The Celtic Star

·18 November 2024

Celtic’s left back dilemmas and uncertainties

Kieran Tierney to return if talk of Valle recall is true? Contrary talk of Celtic speaking to Barcelona about a permanent deal for young Alex who has certainly impressed…

Brendan Rodgers at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

As the weeks roll by it’s now just six weeks to Greg Taylor can speak to other clubs. What is happening at Celtic regarding our plans for that troublesome left back spot?

OneFootball Videos

A Barca recall or a Celtic permanent deal?

There was talk recently of Alex Valle being recalled by Barcelona as early as January, but fortunately all talk has went rather quiet, although that doesn’t mean that things aren’t going on in the background. According to Scottish Daily Mail last week, Celtic were actually planning to open negotiations with Barcelona for the youngster.

Alex Valle competes for the ball with Marten De Roon during the UEFA Champions League match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

A lowish buy-out clause

Much will depend on Valle’s own take on things. Is first team football on the cards back at Barca or is his development best served playing first team – and Champions League football under Brendan Rodgers at Celtic. Valle has apparently a lowish buy-out clause in his contract so if he wants to come to Celtic it should happen.

The young left back is a very accomplished player and you can see why Barcelona supporters were bemused that he was sent out on loan. It’s not a given that he will see out his entire loan spell in Glasgow but on the other hand he might be retained on a permanent contract. If that’s likely Brendan will be looking at playing Valle as much as possible.

Celtic v RB Leipzig, 05 11 2024, Celtic Park, , UEFA Champions League, Matchday 4 , Celtic Glasgow vs RB Leipzig Greg Taylor and Cameron Carter Vickers. Photo Imago (The Celtic Star)

Time running out for a Taylor deal

Then there’s Greg Taylor, an important and long established member of the Celtic first team who has won four Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups since signing from Kilmarnock in 2019.

Taylor has never been among the top earners at the club and apparently reckons it’s time that he was. Maybe Celtic’s don’t fancy the kind of pay rise that the player’s agent has in mind and there’s been a stalemate for a long time now. Brendan Rodgers has always praised Taylor and insists that he wants him to remain at the club as a valuable player in the dressing room and on the park. But if it’s not going to happen that’s also fine but the manager wants to know in order to make alternative plans.

Alex Valle in action for Celtic at Fir Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Left back will be Brendan’s priority position in January

Should Alex Valle be recalled in January, it would mean signing a left back would be our biggest priority in the upcoming transfer window. With only Greg Taylor available it would leave us exposed in an area we have struggled to strengthen in years gone by. And of course the nightmare scenario is Valle gets recalled, Taylor signs a pre-contract with a club in England and Brendan will be facing having no first team left backs in the squad come the summer.

Hibernian v Celtic . Alexandro Bernabei of Celtic after the cinch Scottish Premiership match between Hibernian and Celtic at Easter Road on 7 February 2024. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie PSI

Bernabei likely to be sold for decent money

Alexandro Bernabei isn’t fancied by Brendan and is nearing the exit door, although the club have certainly landed on their feet with him as there are now multiple clubs in South America after his signature.

We do have young Matthew Anderson who is currently on loan at Admira Wacker although like Valle, he would have to cut his loan spell short in Austria. Mitchel Frame is also an option, but we need experience in that area especially with the chance of advancing in Europe still a possibility.

Tierney attended a Celtic FC Foundation event in London last week, seen here with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers. Photo Celtic FC

So could a loan deal for Kieran Tierney be on the cards? KT has been touted for a return to Celtic Park since last year, but his injury at the euros put an end to that rumour. However with KT close to regaining full fitness, and surplus to requirements at Arsenal, could that tempt Brendan to bring him back to Celtic, on a temporary basis at least? Can KT set out his ongoing injury problems will be a dilemma for the staff at Lennoxtown and ultimately Brendan Rodgers will have to make a judgement call on that.

KT on a loan with an option to buy in the summer

An option to buy in the summer, with the prospect of getting Tierney off their wage-bill might suit Arsenal and the player himself would have to be realistic about the money that Celtic could afford to pay him. After his lucrative time at Arsenal, KT might just want to play football again, especially for Celtic , but essentially anywhere where he is valued.

Kieran Tierney of Arsenal breaks away from Daniel Podence of Woverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on February 24, 2022. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

A head scratcher for Brendan

This year has been notable for Brendan Rodgers addressing key positions in the team that need strengthening and he has certainly been successful in his endeavours. His main priority come January is going to be forward planning for the left back position and he will be looking at two players either from the aforementioned names or new signings not yet been linked with a move to the Hoops.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Matt Corr’s wonderful new books, Celtic in the Thirties, Volumes One & Two are both out now on Celtic Star Books and you can order a signed copies by clicking on the links below…