The Crystal Palace loanee is out of contract in the summer and can be snapped up for free
16:34, 11 Mar 2025
Jeffrey Schlupp has been told joining Celtic would be a no brainer
Jeffrey Schlupp has been told joining Celtic would be a no brainer
Jeffrey Schlupp has been told joining Celtic full-time is a no-brainer as one leading pundit asked: 'where would you rather be playing at this stage of his career'?
Brendan Rodgers snapped up the versatile Crystal Palace man on a loan until the summer - but his contract is up and he would be available to make the move to the Hoops on a free. The Parkhead gaffer has already stated he plans to sit down the 32-year-old towards the latter part of the season.
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Schlupp has settled in instantly and has taken over from Greg Taylor in the left-back role. His team-mate is in contract limbo with his deal having just months to run. He looks set to move on in the summer and Michael Stewart reckons Rodgers should look to keep Schlupp alongside the arrival of Kieran Tierney from Arsenal, with that pre-contract already bagged ahead of the new campaign.
Asked on Premier Sports if the January recruit was the first choice left back, Stewart said: “I think so, I think it’s fair to say. I mean, obviously, the whole dynamic with Greg Taylor, I think the contract situation, is clearly an issue.
“Schlupp has come in and he’s done very well. He’s a powerful player, he can play higher up., he can step into the middle of the way that Celtic like to play. So he’s perfectly situated to go and fill the role that Brendan Rodgers wants from a left-back.
“If Greg Taylor does eventually move on at the end of the season, I would imagine that Brendan Rodgers would be looking to keep Schlupp along with obviously Kieran Tierney coming back."
He continued: “From his perspective as well and no disrespect to Crystal Palace, but where would you rather be playing at his stage of his career?
"A chance of winning things at Celtic, playing in the Champions League, it’s a no-brainer. Coupled with the fact that his contract is up anyway."
Jeffrey Schlupp in action for Celtic in the Champions League against Bayern Munich
Jeffrey Schlupp in action for Celtic in the Champions League against Bayern Munich
Rodgers has previously stated he is planning to sit down with Schlupp to discuss his future.. He said: “I'll have a chat with Jeffrey towards the latter part of the season.
"It was the case of him coming in and settling and getting to understand how he plays. I think we can all see he has that Premier League physicality and quality.
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“He's a guy that's a top professional. That's why he's been over a decade in the Premier League, because you have to look after yourself. You've got to have the right qualities, not only as a player but as a person.
“We knew what we were bringing in. I'm really happy for him, because he's settled into the group really well now. Now he has a feeling for how he plays and what the role is. It gives us two really strong players to finish the season in that position.”