Marvin Bartley believes Jeffrey Schlupp should make his loan move to Celtic permanent, insisting it’s a “no brainer” for both the player and the club.
1st March 2025; St Mirren Park, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, Scottish Premiership Football, St Mirren versus Celtic; Jeffrey Schlupp of Celtic celebrates after he shoots and scores past Zach Hemming of St Mirren to make it 1-0 in the 28th minute
With Kieran Tierney set to return to Celtic in the summer, questions have been raised over his injury record and whether he can consistently be relied upon. While Tierney does typically play over 30 games a season, this campaign has been an exception, and the need for a top-quality backup option remains.
He’s played ten this season, and has even played on the wing for Arteta.
Bartley believes securing Schlupp should be a priority, with the former Crystal Palace man improving with each game.
Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, he made it clear that Celtic is the perfect club for him.
“I think it’s a no brainer. He nearly scored against Hibernian, cutting onto his right foot and it was just wide of the post.
“I think he will only get better as well. He hasn’t played that much football this season. Anyone will tell you, who has been a professional footballer, it normally takes you 10-15 games to get yourself going.
“I think he is probably going to peak as the season comes to an end this season. I think Brendan will want to make it a permanent. I think now he has come up and has seen Celtic football club, he will want to make it a permanent. I don’t think finances will be a problem
“With Kieran Tierney coming in, if you are just speaking about his quality, Schlupp might say, ‘I don’t want to sit behind him for the whole season’, but there is that massive question mark over how many games he can play, so I think, for all parties, it makes perfect sense.
“If he has had that career he has had and he has been sensible with his money, to come up to Celtic, he will never play for a club as big as that. The option of winning things as a footballer. There is nothing better than that.
“He will see it this season when they go on to win the league and possibly the Scottish Cup. It will wet his appetite. He is 33. For me, it’s not about money. It’s about winning things and being at a massive club and he has all those things at Celtic.”
With Brendan Rodgers already impressed, and Schlupp growing into his role, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Celtic push for a permanent deal in the summer. The manager has opened the door for a permanent signing, admitting it’s something that he’ll look at further down the line, but is currently unsure of what will happen.
The player’s Crystal Palace contract expires at the end of the season meaning that Celtic could pick him up for free.
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