By Frank McAvennie

19th Oct, 2023 | 10:45am

Celtic expert suggests Nat Phillips deal collapse

Nat Phillips’ future has already been decided, and it does not lie at Celtic.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie claimed the club will send Phillips back to Liverpool in January following his half season loan at Parkhead.

Celtic signed the centre-back on a temporary basis late on in the summer window after injuries to Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh and new signing Maik Nawrocki.

But, Phillips has had to deal with injury problems of his own and his game time has been limited.

Liam Scales has been filling in at centre-half after spending last season on loan at Aberdeen and has impressed fans and the manager with his performances.

But McAvennie suggested there is likely to be a defensive shake up in the second half of the season.

“Phillips will go back in January so that is when the likes of [Gustaf] Lagerbielke will have to step up to the mark,” he told Football Insider.

“I think Nawrocki and Carter-Vickers will be the centre-halves which means that Scales can challenge Greg Taylor for left-back or play centre-half.

“The more games Liam is getting the better he is becoming so it is looking good for Celtic at the moment. It is just a shame we are out the League Cup because the team are just getting stronger and stronger.“

Boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed (18 October) that Nawrocki is back in training and “doing well” after a lengthy lay off.

The 22-year-old joined the Hoops from Legia Warsaw this summer but has made just three appearances so far.

In other news, winger wants to quit Celtic for good after talks with chiefs.