Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has extensive experience in Scotland and England, alongside a detailed understanding of the transfer market.
With the window now open, anticipation surrounds potential arrivals at Parkhead, though there hasn’t been much beyond base value interest circulating in media circles.
In light of this, there isn’t any harm in having a bit of fun speculating about who could become the latest members of Rodgers’ talented squad.
Taking that into account, 67 Hail Hail take a look at three players that have worked under the Irishman previously and could fit nicely at Celtic this summer.
Dennis Praet is available on a free transfer
Starting off, Belgian midfielder Dennis Praet is on the lookout for a new club after leaving Leicester City this summer.
The 30-year-old made 107 appearances for the Foxes during his five-year spell in the East Midlands, registering five goals and seven assists [Transfermarkt].
Tidy in possession, the Leuven-born man completed 276 passes, recording an accuracy of 88.7% within that, and created 15 chances on league duty last term. He also obtained a dribble success rate of 83.3% coupled with taking 35 touches in the opposition box inside 17 matches [Fotmob].
By his own admission, he is looking for a new environment to gain regular minutes and feel ‘important’ again, as he told Het Nieuwsblad last month: “I am now physically at the peak of my career. I definitely want to become important somewhere again, so that I can find the fun in the game again.”
Could he find that courtesy of the man who brought him to Leicester back in 2019? Who knows, it is an interesting thought, at least.
Stuart Armstrong is a familiar face to Brendan Rodgers
You didn’t think this list wouldn’t include Stuart Armstrong, did you? The former Celtic man is also a free agent after leaving Southampton after six years on the South Coast.
In his time at Parkhead, he registered 28 goals and 25 assists in 144 appearances, helping Rodgers to claim eight trophies during his first stint in charge.
Currently involved with Scotland at EURO 2024, the 32-year-old will be keen to embark on a new challenge once his international duties are over, and the likes of Chris Sutton have already endorsed an emotional Parkhead return for the midfielder.
Sutton said earlier in the month: “Armstrong might be 32 years old now, but he looks after himself and has plenty left in the tank. He would be a very good signing for Celtic, perhaps one that could fill the void left by Aaron Mooy last year. I’ve said before that we shouldn’t assume Matt O’Riley is going, but Celtic will still need another attacking midfielder.”
Celtic do need another midfielder, and Armstrong would also bolster the Bhoys’ homegrown quota for European competitions, making him an attractive proposition.
Luke Thomas could solve Celtic’s left-back issues
Greg Taylor is the only left-back with senior experience on the books at Celtic, so why not take a look at Leicester defender Luke Thomas to add some much-needed depth to the area?
The former England under-21 international has already featured 68 times in the Premier League, showing his ability to mix it at the elite level. Having spent the second half of last term on loan at Middlesbrough, it could be time for him to make the next step in his career.
Transfermarkt claim that his contract is set to expire this summer; nevertheless, he wasn’t named in Leicester’s departure list following their promotion to the Premier League, signifying this may be an oversight [Leicester City FC].
Either way, he is another player Celtic should keep an eye on as they go about their summer transfer activity.