£5m man all but confirms Celtic summer departure

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Celtic on-loan defender Moritz Bauer has dropped a huge hint regarding his future at Parkhead, in conversation with the Scottish Sun.

The 28-year-old linked up with the Bhoys during the summer transfer window last year, with the intention of getting regular first-team action after the departure of Mikael Lustig.

However, Bauer ended up slipping behind Jeremie Frimpong in the Celtic right-back pecking order and has seldom featured for Neil Lennon’s side.

While Frimpong has made 22 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, Bauer has had to make do with just 13, of which just six were Scottish Premiership starts.

The Austria international has now all but confirmed that he’ll be returning to parent club Stoke City – who paid £5million for him in 2018 – once his loan is finished.

“It was an exciting experience for me at Celtic, even if it went bitterly for me,” Bauer told the Scottish Sun. “Losing my place wasn’t down to my performances.

“I understand what happened because Celtic are building the experience of a younger player. When the new season starts at Stoke, I now have the chance to get people talking again about me with my performances.”

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It’s unfortunate for Bauer that he has found himself playing second fiddle to Frimpong, but it’s how it is sometimes.

He was brought in to bolster the ranks after Lustig’s departure but, as the season went on, it was evident he became surplus to requirements.

While not a bad signing by any means, Bauer never seemed like a natural fit on that right flank, while Frimpong is progressing nicely and showing a lot more attacking intent in that position.

With Hatem Abd Elhamed also at Lennon’s service, that position is now well stocked and it’s for the best that both parties go their separate ways at the end of the season.