And it could be a case of one
22:30, 29 Mar 2025
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
Jeffrey Schlupp says he’d be open to being at Celtic next season – as Brendan Rodgers revealed Greg Taylor is now likely to leave Parkhead.
The Crystal Palace loanee has taken over at full-back from Taylor – whose contract is running down – in Rodgers’ line-up recently.
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Schlupp was excellent as the Hoops beat Hearts 3-0 in the Premiership yesterday, thanks to a Daizen Maeda double and Jota strike. He’ll be a free agent in the summer when his deal at Selhurst Park expires.
And despite Kieran Tierney’s imminent return to Celtic from Arsenal, Schlupp refused to rule out re-signing at Parkhead.
Afterwards, Rodgers didn’t commit on Schlupp’s future but almost admitted defeat in his bid to keep Taylor, who is set to move on.
Loanee Schlupp said: “I’m loving it here. Regarding next season, it hasn’t been spoken about. If it was a possibility, is it something I’d look at? Yeah, everything is a possibility.
“I’m just focused on winning games and hopefully we finish the season strongly. Anything that happens in the summer will be a big decision for me so we’ll see what happens.
“As far as I’m aware, I’m here on loan. I want to play well, have some fun and see what happens after that. But I’ve loved being here and I think my performances have shown that.
“I’d love to win two trophies, that’s the objective for everyone here. It’s not a secret, we want to win the league and cup. Hopefully, we can get it done.”
Rodgers has been delighted with Schlupp’s contribution and didn’t dismiss the notion of him extending his stay.
Especially as the Celtic boss is now actively looking for competition for Tierney, with Taylor almost certainly set for pastures new.
When told that Schlupp might be keen on being at Parkhead next term, Rodgers said: “I bet he would!
“He’s 32, coming to Celtic, Glasgow. Listen, that’s something between now and the end of the season we’ll look at. But I don’t want to commit too early!
“He’s a great boy. I knew what I was getting, he’s a good type.
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“More than a good guy, he can perform and there’s more to come from him. Obviously we know we’ve got Kieran coming in the summer who is high level.
“We know we’ll need to have someone else if Greg moves on. My idea was always to keep Greg and it still is. I’ve been in this position so many times and I can read situations.
“It’s probably more likely now that Greg will move on than stay, which is a big shame for me because I love him as a person. And I love his game because it’s suited to how we work. It’s not financial but I respect his position because he wants to feel he’ll play every week.
“Whoever is in next year with Kieran will still play a lot of games but my feeling is that Greg may well move on. I know between now and the end of the season he’ll give his all.”
Rodgers’ team recovered from their Old Firm defeat a fortnight ago to see off Hearts inside 45 minutes.
Maeda’s brace and a Jota tap-in wrapped up the points to keep them on track for the title.
Afterwards, Rodgers heaped praise on Maeda who hit the 30-goal mark for the season. He said: “It’s not bad for someone who isn’t supposed to be a goalscorer!
“If he’s on the side, he’s pressing and getting in behind looking to cross. If he’s through the middle then he’s penetrating centrally.
“What everyone is seeing now with Daizen is his actual finishing quality.
“He’s getting in to score his one-v-ones with left foot, right foot and headers.
“He’s got a really good repertoire of finishes.
“Will he always be a striker in my team now? I think he can be.
“It’s one where, if we were to move him back to the side and take him out of the middle – with all due respect – it’s probably easier for us to bring in a top winger than it would be a top striker.
“But he can clearly play the position and I am so happy that he can. We were very good today.
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“We needed to respond after our last game here and it’s never easy coming back after the international break .”