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Daily Record
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Mark Pirie

Where 9 Celtic loanees stand ahead of next season as returning stars hope for Ange Postecoglou shot

Ange Postecoglou has some big calls to make this summer at Celtic.

The Greek-Aussie faces a tough job of living up to the high bar set in his Double-winning debut campaign – and that's before he even has his squad ready to battle it out in the Champions League group stage.

There looks set to be plenty of additions this summer and Postecoglou has already shown he is a shrewd operator in the transfer market.

His recruitment was key to lifting the Scottish Premiership, and another successful window will prove crucial in keeping the title at Celtic Park.

Alongside incomings, there are some big calls to be made over players reporting for pre-season following loan spells away from the club.

Some men will be confident of a second chance under Postecoglou, while some may know their futures are away from Glasgow's East End.

Record Sport assess the returning players as pre-season plans ramp up.

Boli Bolingoli (FC Ufa)

Bolingoli secured a loan move to Russian side FC Ufa in January, but the deal was cur short due to the continuing conflict in Ukraine.

Since then, he has been training away from Lennoxtown back in his native Belgium.

(SNS Group)

With a left-back seemingly top of Postecoglou's transfer wish list this summer, Bolingoli appears to be at the bottom of the pecking and won't provide competition for Greg Taylor next season.

Verdict: A permanent transfer exit

Osaze Urhoghide (Oostende)

The defender arrived from Sheffield Wednesday last summer and was officially unveiled as the first capture of the new era.

However, he made just one first-team appearance under Postecoglou before being shipped out on loan to Belgium.

(SNS Group)

Urhoghide has been impressive for Oostende with the club admitting they would like to secure a permanent transfer, while having an option to buy.

Despite a deal with Celtic until 2025 Urgohide appears to be heading for the exit.

Verdict: A permanent or loan transfer to Oostende

Liam Shaw (Motherwell)

Shaw arrived at the same time as Urgohide, but hasn't found game time any easier to come by after coming in from Sheffield Wednesday.

He made two appearances for the Colts before featuring in the Europa League dead rubber against Real Betis.

Liam Shaw (SNS Group)

He was shipped out to Motherwell on loan or the remainder of the season in January, but struggled to hold down a regular spot under Graham Alexander with five of his seven appearances coming off the bench.

Another loan away from Celtic could benefit the 21-year-old as he adjusts to Scottish football.

Verdict: Loaned out next season

Adam Montgomery (Aberdeen)

The 19-year-old was one of the early-season success stories at Celtic as he earned valuable first-team minutes to kick off the Postecoglou era.

But with the influx of additions in January saw the full-back leave on loan for Aberdeen in search of more senior football.

Having been signed by Stephen Glass, his replacement at Pittodrie Jim Goodwin didn't appear to fancy Montgomery, giving him just seven appearances in the second half of the season.

However, Postecoglou clearly trusts him so more game time at his parent club could be on the cards when he returns to Lennoxtown.

Verdict: A chance to impress on his Celtic return

Ross Doohan (Tranmere Rovers)

The goalkeeper was a key figures between the sticks for the English League Two sides in their push for the playoff spots.

The campaign ultimately ended in disappointment for the 24-year-old as his side missed out on promotion places on the final day of the season.

Despite an impressive campaign south of the border, the stopper is unlikely to have earned a new Celtic contract.

After six loan spells away from Parkhead it could be best for both parties to part ways.

Verdict: Released

Luca Connell (Queen's Park)

Connell was touted as the next big thing when he arrived from Bolton back in 2019, but has yet to make a case for a first-team spot.

(SNS Group)

The 20-year-old played a key role in Queen's Park winning promotion through a League One playoff win, and could fancy another loan spell with the Spiders in the Championship.

However, with just a year left on his contract it could be a crucial season for Connell if he is to prove he can make a first-team breakthrough.

Verdict: A loan away from Celtic

Scott Robertson (Crewe Alexandria)

Another player who faces a crucial season at Celtic is Scott Robertson.

The 20-year-old is approaching the final year of his contract at the club, and was a regular in the Crewe Alexandria starting line-up before his campaign was ended by injury.

(Getty Images)

He has racked up 57 EFL appearances over spells at Doncaster, Gillingham and Crewe and Postecoglou may want to offer the midfielder a chance to impress in pre-season.

Verdict: A chance to impress on his Celtic return

Conor Hazard (HJK Helsinki)

Hazard was thrust into the Celtic first team in the midst of the nightmare bid for 10 In A Row with Scott Bain and Vasilis Barkas failing to make their case to be number one.

Since then Joe Hart has become the unquestioned first choice at Celtic Park, leaving the 24-year-old out of the picture.

Back-up stopper Bain has recently penned a new deal at the club, leading to the Northern Ireland cap leaving on loan for HJK Helsinki.

Conor Hazard has left Celtic on loan for Helsinki (SNS Group)

With the Finnish league season at the halfway point and Hazard getting a regular start as HJK battle for the league title, a summer recall appears unlikely.

However, Postecoglou will likely give him a chance to compete with Bain as back-up when he returns to the club in September.

Verdict: A chance to impress on his Celtic return

Kerr McInroy (Ayr)

McInroy enjoyed a successful spell in the lower leagues this term.

He was a key figure at Airdrie in League One, before joining Ayr United and their fight for Championship survival in January.

Having helped The Honest Men keep their place in the second tier, Mcinroy looks likely to have suitors lining up this summer.

But with his Celtic contract coming to an end a return to Parkhead appears to be off the table.

Verdict: Released

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