Three Celtic players who should force a January loan exit

By Jay Williams

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has previously bemoaned the fact that he has a “bloated” squad, The Scotsman reports.

This means that exits are likely in January – both permanent outgoings and loan moves.

Here are three Celtic fringe players who should ask Rodgers for a loan exit this January.

Conor Hazard

(Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Craig Gordon, 35, and Dorus de Vries, 37, are coming towards the end of their respective careers.

27-year-old Scott Bain will be eyeing the goalkeeper spot but Hazard could stake a claim if he impresses out on loan.

The 20-year-old, who stands at 6ft 6in tall, has previously spent time with Falkirk on loan.

The Northern Ireland international is highly rated by club and country and could show Rodgers that he can be Celtic’s long-term goalkeeper solution.

Kundai Benyu

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Benyu has become the forgotten man at Celtic.

The 20-year-old moved from Ipswich Town in 2017, signing a four-year deal, but has failed to break into the first-team.

After an unsuccessful loan spell with Oldham Athletic, the midfield man needs to head out again and impress.

The Zimbabwe international is currently not anywhere near the Celtic first-team but a loan move could change that.

Anthony Ralston

(Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Many believe that Ralston is the long-term answer for Celtic and Scotland at right-back.

But the 20-year-old has not played a minute of competitive football this season.

With Mikael Lustig’s contract expiring at the end of the campaign, Ralston needs to show that he can step up and be the solution at right-back.

But the Scotland under-21 international needs a loan spell to prove why.