Celtic to 'consider' Van den Berg January move

Celtic will "consider" letting young midfielder Joel van den Berg head out on loan in January, sources have told Football Insider.

The 19-year-old is yet to make his debut for the Bhoys, who view him very much as "one for the future" at the moment.

The Glasgow giants are aware that the starlet will need time to adapt to a new country and a new culture, as well as time to settle in with his new teammates.

Sources say that if Van den Berg is still not getting first-team minutes by January, then Celtic are prepared to explore a possible loan deal for the second half of the season.

The Dutch youngster only joined from PSV Eindhoven in the summer, but Celtic are determined to avoid stunting his development with a lack of game time.

Van den Berg hasn't even featured in a matchday squad for Martin O'Neill since 9 September, and is firmly down the pecking order at the moment.

This is why Celtic might need Joel van den Berg

Van den Berg enjoyed a breakthrough season at PSV last term, as he broke into their first-team setup for the first time.

He ended the season with five appearances to his name in the Eredivisie, and that was enough to convince Celtic to splash out £3.4million to secure his services.

Van den Berg's signing was made with the future firmly in mind, but the Bhoys still have hope that he could be ready to contribute sooner rather than later.

The fans are still waiting to get their first glimpse of the Netherlands U19 international, as he spent the entirety of pre-season with PSV before his move was completed late in the window.

The prospect of a loan move away from Parkhead is on the table this winter, but Celtic are keen to ensure that they don't leave themselves short by letting Van de Berg head out.

O'Neill is expected to use the starlet as injury cover between now and then, so he could be called upon if any of the midfield succumb to an injury.

Celtic star becomes victim of 'dysfunctional' setup

Former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness recently told Football Insider that Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston has become a victim of the "dysfunctional" setup at the club.

The 27-year-old is firmly down the pecking order with his boyhood club, and is still waiting for his first league appearance of the season.

However, Wyness believes that Ralston still has plenty to give at Celtic, and does not deserve to be frozen out of the group in that manner.

The Scotland international is out of contract at the end of the season, and could be about to head into his final months as a Celtic player.