BREAKING NEWS: Three contract deadly situations Celtic need to sort out before they become a problem

Come the summer, speculation will reach fever pitch regarding potential incomings as the Parkhead faithful get excited about what new players may don the famous green and white. Nevertheless, there will also be some farewells, including experienced goalkeeper Joe Hart, who is retiring from football at the end of the season. Falling into the trap door of letting contracts run down is also a scenario Rodgers is likely to be keen to avoid, which may create some tough conversations surrounding the future of some of his assets. Without further ado, 67 Hail Hail take a look at three contract situations Celtic need to resolve before they become a bigger problem at Parkhead. It may come as a surprise to some, but Celtic left-back Greg Taylor is actually out of contract in the summer of 2025, and there haven’t been many suggestions that a new deal is in the pipeline for the Scotland international, who is reported to earn around £15,000 per week [Salary Sport]. Over the course of his time at Parkhead, Taylor has gone on to rack up 163 appearances in all competitions, registering eight goals and 25 assists [Transfermarkt].

Celtic FC v Kilmarnock FC - Cinch Scottish Premiership

Due to Alexandro Bernabei’s recent exit, Taylor is the only senior left-back on the books at Parkhead for the remainder of this campaign. To put it lightly, it would be a shock if he weren’t to be offered fresh terms if that isn’t already the case. Taylor has been a reliable presence on the left-hand side of the Hoops’ backline, collecting seven trophies along the way, and it would be worth securing his long-term future, especially with homegrown quotas in mind.

Celtic have a decision to make on surprise package Liam Scales

This is where matters get a little bit more complicated. According to Football Scotland, Liam Scales is believed to have a contract offer on the table amid his meteoric rise from fringe player to first-team regular this season. Despite this, no agreement has been reached as things stand, which is also said to be the case with his compatriot Rocco Vata, whom we haven’t included in this list but will mention.

Celtic FC v Atletico Madrid: Group E - UEFA Champions League 2023/24

Scales has met the challenge of stepping into the thick of the action with Celtic, winning an average of 5.8 aerial duels and 1.6 tackles, coupled with recording a match rating of 7.38/10 for his displays in the Scottish Premiership [WhoScored].

Featuring 36 times in 2023/24, scoring once and claiming three assists, the Dublin-born man has actually only missed four fixtures for the Hoops and played every minute of our Champions League campaign, per Transfermarkt.

Regardless, the longer his situation remains in deadlock, speculation will continue over his long-term future, given that his contract is also set to run out in 2025.

James McCarthy is still on the books at Celtic

Last but not least, forgotten Celtic man James McCarthy makes his way into our chosen three having not kicked a ball in anger for the senior team this season.

Now 33 years of age, the former Republic of Ireland anchor has played twice for the B team in the Lowland League. However, it has been a long-accepted fact that his chances of reclaiming a first-team spot are simply a non-entity [Transfermarkt].

RB Leipzig v Celtic FC: Group F - UEFA Champions League
Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images

In January, the Bhoys turned down loan interest in McCarthy from Greek outfit Volos FC due to a discrepancy in wage valuation between both clubs.

Salary Sport cite that he earns a cool £14,000 per week on the payroll at Parkhead on a deal that runs until, you guessed it, 2025.

Whether we see an exit in the summer for McCarthy or it follows once next year rolls around, it is only a matter of time before his departure is ratified.

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