Journalist addresses Celtic summer signing Joel van den Berg’s January exit rumours

Celtic midfielder Joel van den Berg has been linked with a possible January loan move, but fresh comments from journalists Michael Gannon and Keith Jackson suggest there is more to the situation than a lack of first-team opportunities.

The 19-year-old joined Celtic from PSV during the summer with expectations that he could develop into an important player for the club. However, he is yet to make his senior debut after suffering an injury shortly after arriving in Glasgow.

That setback has prevented Van den Berg from establishing himself under Martin O’Neill, prompting speculation that Celtic could consider sending him out on loan when the January transfer window opens.

However, Gannon has indicated that the youngster’s immediate priority is recovering from his injury rather than considering a temporary departure.

Speaking on Daily Record Hotline Live, Gannon explained that Van den Berg had initially been involved with the first-team squad before his fitness problems emerged.

“To be honest with you, his first priority is getting back to fitness. He’s no fit at the moment. He was on the bench first two games after he arrived, picked up an injury, he was last spotted hobbling about in a moon boot,” he said.

Gannon also revealed that there was no confirmed return date for the midfielder, suggesting that his recovery would need to progress before Celtic could properly assess his situation.

He added that he believes Van den Berg has considerable potential and that the club will want to see him regain fitness, integrate into the squad and compete for a first-team position.

“I think this kid’s gonna have a big future,” Gannon said.

“At this point in time, I don’t think it’s on the agenda. I think the thought would be that by Christmas, he would be competing for a first team place.”

Keith Jackson provides further context on Celtic speculation

Jackson has also addressed the rumours surrounding Van den Berg’s future, although he stressed that reports of a possible January departure remain unconfirmed.

The journalist said he had spoken with people in the Netherlands who were familiar with the midfielder and his representatives, but none had confirmed that the player had been told he could leave Celtic on loan.

Jackson also revealed that his conversations with people at the club had not uncovered any negative feedback about the youngster’s situation.

“There are certainly rumours kicking about that Celtic might consider letting him leave on loan in January. I have been trying to check it out so I have to say those rumours are unconfirmed,” Jackson explained.

He added that he had spoken to other people connected with Celtic but had not heard anything to suggest there was a problem surrounding Van den Berg.

For now, the midfielder’s recovery appears to be the key issue. Celtic will need to see him return to full fitness before making a clearer assessment of his first-team prospects.

With a busy fixture schedule ahead, O’Neill could benefit from having more options available in midfield. If Van den Berg can recover as hoped, he may yet get an opportunity to demonstrate why Celtic brought him to Glasgow in the first place.

A January loan remains a possibility being discussed, but based on the journalists’ comments, there is currently no confirmation that Celtic are preparing to send him elsewhere.