There has been a fresh update regarding Marcelo Saracchi’s Celtic future.
The Uruguayan joined the Hoops on loan in August from Boca Juniors and went on to provide excellent cover for Kieran Tierney.
Saracchi came on in the title-deciding match against Hearts and changed the game. His driving run into the final third and pass to Callum Osmand proved instrumental in allowing Daizen Maeda to score the most crucial goal of our season.
That report has now been backed up by Seba Ongarelli, an Argentinian journalist living in Scotland.
Ongarelli revealed he had spoken to Saracchi’s agent, and the update is one that Celtic fans will feel disappointed with.
He said (@sebaongarelli on X):
“Spoke with Saracchi’s agent. He flew to Argentina yesterday and he’ll join Boca Jrs back (season’s over now).
“Although he really enjoyed his short time at Celtic and loves the fans, the club never offered him a permanent transfer deal.”
It’s disappointing that Celtic didn’t table a permanent offer.
The 28-year-old’s work rate, attitude and overall ability made him a fan favourite near the end of the season.
He would never shy away from a challenge and gave everything when he stepped onto the pitch.
But the unfortunate truth is that he is too good to remain a backup option. Tierney is the first choice, and had a great season of his own, but Saracchi deserves to play more regularly for whichever club he eventually ends up at.
Celtic have significant work to do this summer, with several positions requiring an injection of quality.
The search for a permanent manager is underway, with Martin O’Neill and Robbie Keane in the running.
On the pitch, several players are set to depart, including Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate.
It is a summer rebuild that the club simply cannot afford to get wrong.
