Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed the departures of two centre-backs this summer, with Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke both heading for the exit door.
Speaking to CeltsAreHere after Friday night’s 1-0 win over Queen’s Park at the City Stadium, Rodgers also addressed the status of Nicolas Kuhn, who is on the verge of sealing a £17 million move to Serie A side Como.
The German winger joined in January of last year from Rapid Vienna and impressed in the 18 months he had in Glasgow, but is now set to move on.
Rodgers, however, was also keen to underline changes in his defensive department.
Nawrocki is expected to finalise a loan move to Hannover 96 in the coming days, with a purchase option included. The Polish defender struggled with injury and failed to build consistency since his £4.3m move from Legia Warsaw. Lagerbielke, meanwhile, will also depart the club after he spent last term on loan at FC Twente.
“Yeah, I think the likes of him and Gus are players that… Obviously, Gus has been out last year. He’ll want to continue playing. Maik’s never really consistently been able to stay fit and really take that spot. This time last year, he started the game for us and it happened. He got injured and was out for a number of weeks. So, he’s had a couple of years where he hasn’t quite got the games that he would have liked. So, it’s important that he goes out and play.”
It’s another reshuffle at the back as Rodgers seeks reliability and continuity ahead of a crucial campaign. Both players leave with the aim of reigniting their careers elsewhere, as Celtic continue to fine-tune the squad for the season ahead. You’d imagine there are another one or two defensive signings.
