Celtic supporters will be hoping that Brendan Rodgers makes the right moves this summer to bolster his squad, and pundit Michael Stewart has made a compelling case for the Hoops to sign Jeffrey Schlupp on a free transfer.

With Schlupp currently on loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season, and his contract at the Eagles set to expire, Stewart believes it would be a “no-brainer” for Celtic to snap up the Ghanaian defender this summer.

The Changing Landscape at Left-Back

In recent weeks, Schlupp has impressed at left-back, even as Greg Taylor, the usual starter, has been dropped in favour of the Palace loanee. With Taylor’s own contract set to expire in the summer and no agreement in sight for an extension, it seems the future of the Scottish defender is uncertain. Stewart, commentating on Celtic’s 2-0 win over Hibernian in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals, saw Schlupp feature the full 90 minutes in a performance that further highlighted his credentials to replace Taylor next season.

Stewart said: (Premier Sports), “Schlupp has come in, and he’s done fairly 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.”

The Potential Impact of Kieran Tierney’s Return

As if the left-back situation weren’t already interesting enough, there’s the added excitement of Kieran Tierney’s anticipated return to Celtic in the summer. The Arsenal full-back, who has always been a boyhood Hoops supporter, has agreed to a pre-contract deal that will see him return to Parkhead on a four-year contract. With both Schlupp and Tierney potentially fighting for a place in the starting XI, competition for the left-back spot at Celtic is set to intensify, making it crucial that Rodgers adds depth to his squad in the summer.

Stewart also addressed the prospect of Schlupp joining the Hoops permanently: “No disrespect to Crystal Palace, but where would you rather be playing at this stage of your career? A chance of winning things at Celtic, playing in the Champions League, it’s a no-brainer.”

Why Schlupp Makes Sense for Celtic

Stewart’s comments highlight why Schlupp could be an ideal addition to the Celtic squad next season. His contract expiring at the end of the season means Celtic could sign him without a transfer fee, a major boost in Rodgers’ pursuit of strengthening the squad. His versatility, power, and ability to play in midfield make him a valuable asset for Rodgers. With the uncertainty around Taylor’s future and the potential for competition with Tierney, Schlupp could prove to be a shrewd signing for Celtic in what promises to be a busy summer of transfer activity for the Bhoys.