Celtic made no mistake when it came to reclaiming the Premiership title in Ange Postecoglou’s debut season in charge of the Hoops.
The Bhoys won 29, drew six and lost just three of their 38 league matches, ending the campaign four point ahead of their Glasgow arch-rivals.
However, one man in Postecoglou’s squad who didn’t play much of a part in Celtic’s title charge was left-back Boli Bolingoli.
With just two league appearances to his name in 2021/22 (in September and October), the Belgian only featured in a league matchday squad on one other occasion.
Now that the summer transfer window is on the horizon, it seems as though the Hoops have identified one potential transfer they could make which could push the 26-year-old outcast out of the club for good.
What’s the news?
According to a recent report from the Daily Mail (via Daily Record), Celtic are exploring the option of signing Velez Sarsfield left-back Francisco Ortega.
A product of the Argentina club’s youth system, the defender has gone on to make 97 appearances for the club across all competitions. In that time, the 23-year-old has scored one goal and provided 10 assists for his teammates along the way.
Do Celtic need to get rid of Bolingoli this summer?
With 20 league appearances last season, the £3.78m-rated Argentine racked up the second-highest number of crosses (59) and tackles (31) at his club. This shows how dangerous an attacking figure he can be, as well as a capable defender without the ball.
Taking into account how Bolingoli has been away training on his own and how Celtic will reportedly be looking to get rid of him this summer, securing a deal for Ortega could be the best way to replace the unwanted Belgian.
Slammed by Neil Lennon for his “incredibly selfish” actions when he broke the government’s guidelines during the pandemic, Bolingoli’s next step would ideally be one which would see him leave the Scottish champions and join another club where he would be playing regularly again.
If Celtic find themselves calling time on the Belgian’s period at the club, going in for Ortega should definitely be in their plans before the next campaign kicks off.
In other news – Signed for £4.5m, now worth 70% less: Celtic had a huge howler on £9k-p/w “disaster”
