Celtic sent a remarkable 15 players out on loan during the 2023/24 season and that high volume is likely to be commonplace over the coming years.
Announcing Darren O’Dea in a new backroom role recently, it’s clear that part of his duties will be forging new relationships with clubs and managing development loans. It will be a key strategy for Celtic moving forward.
There have been successes with loans this season – most notably Mikey Johnston. The Celtic winger has increased his profile and his value by becoming a big hit out at English Championship side West Bromwich Albion.
Another who has enjoyed a strong campaign is Bosun Lawal at Fleetwood Town, despite his side recently being relegated from English League One to League Two.
Lawal can’t have enjoyed that harsh lesson – which will be character-building if nothing else – but he has kickstarted his own career with 45 appearances in all competitions and next season could be his biggest yet.
Bosun Lawal’s Celtic situation and transfer interest
The Scottish Sun reports today that multiple clubs in League One and the Championship are now keen on signing Lawal up this summer on another season-long loan, a sign of his own increasing profile south of the border.
Lawal is likely to return to Lennoxtown and pre-season training to be assessed by manager Brendan Rodgers before any big decisions are made in the upcoming transfer window.
Celtic, at that point, will have to determine whether he is ready to feature as a first-team squad member or whether they should capitalise on that loan interest with a new move elsewhere.
Lawal’s contract runs until 2026 so there is some breathing room for both parties here. Nobody needs to rush into anything permanent.
Lawal’s positional transformation
The Republic of Ireland U21 star developed at Celtic as a central defender but over the last 6 months he has been a standout for Fleetwood in midfield instead.
He ended up scoring five goals in the second half of the campaign and has appeared to relish the freedom of moving a step forward in the team.
It’ll be interesting to see if Celtic want to continue that path and if their vision for Lawal lines up with the player’s own wishes.
If he can also perform to a high standard in midfield in the Championship, it’ll be a sign he’s ready to make the big step up at the Bhoys.