Don’twastetime onbit-partBhoys inarottenrun-in

ODSONNE EDOUARD should not play again for Celtic. It’s the same for Kristoffer Ajer.

If none of the two of them are going to give any indication they will sign contract extensions, their Parkhead careers should now be over.

Unless talks are ongoing, it’s the same story with Ryan Christie.

If Celtic are not going to pursue a permanent deal for Diego Laxalt, he shouldn’t be in the side. Mohamed Elyounoussi is in the same boat if Southampton want him back or he doesn’t want to stay. Shane Duffy, too.

It’s rebuild time for Celtic and there is nothing left to play for in terms of this season.

It’s all about looking forward and the planning will already be underway.

Celtic have four games left in the Premiership this season and there’s nothing to play for.

The Betfred Cup has gone, the Scottish Cup has gone. Second place in the table is assured.

Celtic can’t catch Rangers for first and they can’t be caught themselves by Hibs for second with a 16-point advantage and only 12 still up for grabs.

There’s two factors at play. The first is playing time for others and the second, most crucially, is finance. The rebuild that needs to be undertaken at Parkhead is going to be huge and it’ll take a lot of money to start replenishing the ranks.

A large chunk could come from the sale of Edouard and Ajer. They’re moving into the final year of their deals and can’t be allowed to leave for free. They have to go now.

Edouard and Ajer could raise close to £30million. That money is crucial to the rebuild. Celtic need it.

If they suffer a serious injury in the final four matches, vital cash could go up in a puff of smoke.

Players can also get injured training. So don’t have them train. Tell them their season is over and to sit on the couch. It’s too dangerous to put such sums at risk.

Put Christie in that same bracket if there’s no progress on talks.

Laxalt is likely to be returning to AC Milan, so why not give Greg Taylor the games?

If Southampton want Elyounoussi back, there’s no use playing him or Edouard when Albian Ajeti and Leigh Griffiths, despite the odds being against it, could be proving they might still have something to offer.

Even if they don’t, it’s surely sensible to play them than put millions of next season’s kitty at risk in the likes of Edouard.

Play an academy kid in Ajer’s place and give him

It’s rebuild time for Celtic and there is nothing left to play for this season

some experience. What’s to lose?

Scott Brown’s slightly different. There’s no sale value and his agreement with Aberdeen is sealed. Even so, it is not better to let Ismaila Soro get four games if he’s going to be part of the squad next term when Brown isn’t?

There’s no fans inside stadiums, but there are 50-odd thousand who paid for season-tickets and will get the final home match screened on their laptops.

Surely they’d prefer the greater good and the long-term thinking ahead of beating St Johnstone?

This season has gone. Celtic have to think of next term. That starts now by making sure they are in the best possible shape heading into it.

OUR TOP WRITERS GIVE THEIR FEARLESS VERDICTS EVERY DAY IN RECORD SPORT