See him leaving’: Pundit says £3m Celtic star’s time is up under Brendan Rodgers

The 23-year-old was brought in to become a starter under Brendan Rodgers and compete alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers at the back for Celtic. But fast forward to the present and Gustaf Lagerbielke has seen one academy star in Stephen Welsh, as well as the previously unfancied Liam Scales, push ahead of him in the pecking order.

The latter has outshone him and showcased how it should be done. Yes, he had that moment against Feyenoord and it’s a winning goal that helped end Celtic’s barren run in the Champions League. But after putting £3 million down on the table for the centre-back, Tam McManus made it clear that he is no longer wanted by Brendan Rodgers and he expects him to leave before Thursday’s cut-off point, as he told PLZ Soccer. Several clubs in Italy have been linked with him. At the start of the window, it looked like he was gone, but then everything went quiet.

Well, Sky Sports are now reporting that the Sweden international is closing in on a loan move to Lecce, with an option to buy. In a transfer window where Celtic fans expected a lot, this is one of the least expected moves of the window. Lagerbielke, I just don’t think Brendan fancies him,” said McManus. “He has come in and not really played. I think they have got good cover now at centre-half, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him leaving.” Yes, it’s not like for like, but with one player’s wages off the bill, could this spark the arrival of a much-needed left-back? Greg Taylor is injured and it has put the team in a bit of a hole because now Alexandro Bernabei is being asked to step forward.

Yes, he did his job during the win over Ross County over the weekend, but it’s pretty clear that he doesn’t have a future and you do worry if he has to play long-term. So, it would be wise if Rodgers is backed in that regard because it will come to bite the team in the back.

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