Celtic’s left-back hunt assessed as pundit floats ‘excellent’ summer transfer suggestion

Adding numbers at left-back has become a sticking point for Celtic since Brendan Rodgers returned north of the border last summer.

At the start of the campaign, Greg Taylor and Alexandro Bernabei filled two berths on the left-hand side, with the former claiming the vast majority of first-team action under the Irishman.

However, despite an outcry from supporters, Celtic failed to recruit additional depth in the position, which was soon followed by Taylor picking up an injury, leaving his Argentinian counterpart with an opportunity to step up in his place.

Overall, Bernabei made nine appearances for the Bhoys in the earlier portion of this season before being shipped out on loan to Internacional for the remainder of 2024 [Transfermarkt].

Taylor remains the only senior left-back Celtic have on the books. With the summer window approaching, it remains to be seen who Rodgers targets to provide the 26-year-old with comPetition after links with Owen Beck, Tiago Araujo, and Hugo Bueno, among others, failed to materialise.

Last week, Taylor addressed his contract situation at Parkhead, claiming that talks over an extension to his deal, which runs out in 2025, have been pushed back until the end of this term.

He said: “I have one year left, but there have been no talks. I have just been focused on finishing the season strongly. We will see what comes of it. I just want to do as well as I can for Celtic. There will always be comPetition, and that is the focus of being a Celtic player.

“I just want to take care of these next six Games and then everything else will take care of itself.”

Pundit floats surprise potential Celtic left-back transfer theory

Rumours are beginning to swirl regarding potential Celtic transfer targets this summer, as Rodgers will likely be keen to shuffle his squad around at Parkhead.

Conceivably, the left-back area will be a priority position to strengthen for the Bhoys, and pundit Tam McManus has now floated a surprise suggestion to offer depth beside Taylor on the left-hand side of their backline.

Speaking on PLZ Soccer, the former Hibernian striker put forward the name of Dundee left-back Owen Dodgson, who is currently on loan at Dens Park from Premier League strugglers Burnley as a name Celtic should consider if he is on the market.

He stated: “I like the boy Dodgson, the left-back. I think he’s on loan from Burnley. I think he’s excellent excellent; I think Celtic and Rangers should be looking at him. In the two games I’ve seen him, against both Celtic and Rangers, I thought he was really, really good.”

Owen Dodgson was impressive against Celtic last weekend

Although McManus’s suggestion may be reactive to the weekend’s events, Dodgson was impressive against Celtic at Dens Park, it has to be said.

Per Fotmob, the 21-year-old completed five crosses, ten defensive actions, four interceptions, and three clearances, alongside creating five chances during proceedings.

Celtic are bound to have a long list of targets to fill the position; however, there is no harm in monitoring individuals who ply their trade in the Scottish Premiership and could potentially step into Rodgers’ side this summer.