Alex McLeish

Thu 3 February 2022 7:00, UK

Alex McLeish has suggested some senior players at Celtic may have to train with the youngsters due to Ange Postecoglou’s “massive” squad.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland manager admitted those out of favour at Parkhead may be left out of first-team training.

The likes of Vasilis Barkas, Albian Ajeti and Boli Bolingoli all remained at Parkhead past Scotland’s winter transfer deadline.

Ajeti was linked with a move back to Switzerland but Basler Zeitung claim (1 February) Basel are now exploring other options.

Meanwhile, the Daily Record (28 January) report IFK Goteberg are considering a loan move for Barkas.

The Swedish transfer window is open until March.

Celtic currently have 30 players at Parkhead who have featured at some point this season.

McLeish suggested those out of the picture may have to train with the younger players.

“This is where, when you’ve got a massive squad, you have to separate a lot of the players, and I’m looking at the likes of Ajeti, Barkas and Bolingoli,” McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.

“They will probably be, and I can only imagine because we did this back in my day at Rangers, under the supervision of other coaches.

“Maybe one of the younger coaches learning his trade as well with the professionals who are not in the plans. He’ll join them in with the young players and stuff.

“You know players of that ilk would want to go and play senior level (football). They don’t really relish playing with the young ones.

“To be fair, most of them will give the young ones the respect while they’re training with them.

“There’s no way you can train a squad with eight or nine you don’t consider as first or second choice.”

Bolingoli and Barkas have only played twice across all competitions for Celtic this season.

Meanwhile, Ajeti has made 17 appearances but has been pushed down the pecking order by the arrival of Daizen Maeda.

In other news, pundit claims Barkas could lead exodus out of Celtic.