With just three games to go in the Scottish Premiership campaign, the Green Hoops are on course for a record-breaking season as they have yet to taste defeat in the league. A strong challenge to the title was expected from Rangers and Aberdeen this season; however, to have 100 points in the bag and another league championship secured already, Celtic have not given them a chance at all.
Brendan Rodgers is the type of person who will not rest on his laurels and he will have almost certainly started planning his recruitment for this summer. The Celtic boss will want his side to remain the dominant force in Scotland and to have a better run in Europe next season. Here are three players who should be on his shortlist for a move to Parkhead.
Fabian Delph – Manchester City
Since moving to Manchester City in July 2015 for £8 million from Aston Villa, Fabian Delph has only featured on 24 occasions and most of those appearances have been off the bench. City are the 5/2 favourites in the Premier League outright betting for the 2017/18 campaign as Pep Guardiola is set to splash the cash in the summer. Delph is unlikely to be part of those plans so if the England international wants regular first-team football again he must leave.
Delph is a talented midfielder who would be a great option for Rodgers. At the age of 27, he should be reaching the peak stages of his career and hopefully, that can be at Celtic Park. The former Aston Villa man is now a regular in the England squad so his experience will be invaluable in the Champions League next season.
John Terry – Chelsea
John Terry is a club legend at Chelsea. He has won everything there is to win with the Blues but he is now set for a new chapter in his career as he is leaving the club at the end of the season. Truth be told, Terry is at the back end of his career now. His legs won’t be what they once were. However, he would bring such real leadership to the team and can probably still do a job for a year or two in Scotland.
At the very least, Terry can add some depth to the squad and he won’t cost anything in the transfer window. If Rodgers can persuade him to move north of the border, he’ll have a player who can really help the younger members of the squad develop at the club.
Dominic Solanke – Chelsea
England under-21 international Dominic Solanke has had a big reputation at youth level for a number of years now. Given the size and success of Chelsea’s squad this season though, he has not been given an opportunity to shine in the first team at Stamford Bridge. In 2015, he joined Vitesse on loan, where he scored seven goals in his spell in Holland.
Celtic have been linked with the striker’s services before and it is likely Rodgers will be giving Antonio Conte a call again this summer. The deal may have to be a loan move; however, if Celtic can secure him for a season, it could be a great bit of business on their part.
The summer transfer window opens again on July 1 and with no international tournament this year, Rodgers will be keen to do his recruitment early so he can have a full pre-season with the new players.