The 13 Celtic loan players due back at Parkhead, how they fared and what the future holds
Brendan Rodgers has made it abundantly clear that he wants Celtic to ditch the project signings and recruit 'quality' this summer. And the Hoops boss will be keen to clear the way for his new Bhoys by trimming his bloated squad.
Celts have more than 30 first-team players on the books and they might need to build another training centre to accommodate all of their returning loanees. A mix of fringe men and academy youngsters were farmed out on loan across the season and it's fair to say some enjoyed more success than others.
Here, Football Scotland shines a light on the 13 players due back at Lennoxtown this summer and weigh up what their futures may hold.
Josh Clarke
The English goalkeeper, 19, joined Ayr United in February and instantly established himself as No1. He made 12 appearances under Scott Brown, recording two clean sheets and shipping 18 goals. Out of contract this summer.
Tobi Oluwayemi
The former England Under-20 youth endured a frustrating campaign at Austrian club Admira Wacker after suffering a knee injury. Ended the season between the sticks and kept an impressive five shutouts in nine appearances, conceding six. Likely to head out on loan again.
Matthew Anderson
Anderson, 20, followed teammate Oluwayemi to Austria by joining the Hoops' feeder club for the campaign. The versatile left-back - who can also play on the wing - starred by contributing six assists and a goal during his 22 outings. Highly-rated at Parkhead.
Bosun Lawal
Dublin-born Lawal was a standout performer despite Fleetwood Town's relegation, registering six goals and two assists in 42 league matches. His excellent form has put him on the radar of several English clubs but the 20-year-old powerhouse is under contract until 2026. Fleetwood boss Charlie Adam tipped the midfielder to become a star at Parkhead.
Ben McPherson
The right-back spent the year in the cinch Championship with Queen's Park, racking up 26 appearances. However, the 20-year-old's Hoops deal expires this summer.
Ben Summers
Ange Postecoglou handed the talented midfielder his Celtic debut last season and he gained more first-team experience at Dunfermline, chipping in with four goal contributes throughout the year. Another loan deal could be on the cards this summer.
Kwon Hyeok-kyu
The £1million South Korean has yet to make his Celtic debut but was given a taste of Scottish football with St Mirren from January. The defensive midfielder quickly became a fans' favourite, making nine appearances, before his campaign was curtailed by a hamstring injury. Could be given an opportunity in pre-season.
Marco Tilio
No sooner had Tilio arrived in Scotland was he farmed back on loan to Australia after managing just 27 minutes of football. But the 22-year-old's quick-fire return to Melbourne City didn't go as planned after spending most of the time on the sidelines through injury. Scored once in just four games and faces a massive task forcing his way into Rodgers' plans.
Sead Haksabanovic
Haksabanovic seems to have been deemed surplus to requirements at Parkhead. His season-long stint at Stoke City proved underwhelming after just one goal and two assists. A Potters expert rated his spell as 5/10 but it's reported the 25-year-old has options to move to Italy if clubs meet Celtic's £2.5million asking price.
MacKenzie Carse
The academy midfielder, 20, joined Queen's Park in January but hasn't featured as much as he'd have liked, starting just one of his nine matches. Ended the last few games as an unused sub and has another year to run on his deal at Parkhead.
Liam Shaw
Forgotten man Shaw, 23, linked up with ex-Celtic star Shaun Maloney at Wigan Athletic, and played 26 times. But the ex-Sheffield Wednesday youngster doesn't have a future at the Hoops and could leave the club permanently this summer after three loan stints.
Mikey Johnston
Johnston, 24, made the most of his new lease of life after joining West Brom for the second-half of the campaign. The Republic of Ireland international scored seven goals in 20 appearances and was named Championship Player of the Month in March. Rodgers the talented winger "one of the very best to come out of the academy" and this summer could be make-or-break.
Johnny Kenny
Striker Kenny, 20, has earned rave reviews after returning for a second loan spell at Shamrock Rovers. He has surpassed last season's goal spell by netting seven goals in 19 appearances, prompting huge praise from his manager who said: "This year he’s been a different animal, in training, his mentality around the place and on the pitch, when he’s like he is at the moment you wouldn’t like to play against him, he has a bit of everything."