Celtic are set to let go of six members of playing staff in the summer – Conor Hazard, James McCarthy, Liam Scales, Vasilis Barkas, Ismaila Soro and Albian Ajeti are all either up for sale for will be released at the end of their respective contracts [via Sky Sports].

Celtic’s squad is massive at this current point in time – it makes perfect sense to let a few players go in the summer, to avoid their playing ranks from becoming bloated.

Of the six, only one of them has not been loaned out this season – James McCarthy. However, the former Everton man has also had rotten luck with injuries, having made just two league appearances all season (neither of which were starts).

Some sections of the Celtic massive will be sad to see Conor Hazard go. While he isn’t ready for first-team football, he has plenty of developing to do, aged just 25. He may have proven to be a decent understudy to the aging Joe Hart – alas, it doesn’t look likely.

Additionally, defender Liam Scales has enjoyed a decent season on loan at Aberdeen, but it is difficult to see him ousting the likes of Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers from their current positions.

While all six players are talented in their own right, they are not necessary towards Celtic’s success – as such, the decision to move them on is not a surprising one.