IS THERE life after Celtic?

For many years, for many players, the answer was no as the exit from Parkhead was the first step on the long way down.

However, the times they are a changin', as are the prospects for those who surrender their membership of the Bhoys' club.

Of course, the now- entrenched business strategy of buying raw talent, knocking off the rough edges then selling it on for a big profit means that we should be seeing a different type of future for players who leave Celtic.

For so long, the vast majority of those who left did so after the club had had the best of them and their careers were on the wane.

Think of Martin O'Neill's years in charge, and how few successful winners he had under his wing who went on to bigger and better things elsewhere.

Henrik Larsson was the outstanding exception, but he was exceptional in all he did from the moment O'Neill became his boss.

Likewise, Gordon Strachan tended to wring out almost all a player had to give before he was allowed to move on, again with one notable exception, the unsettled Stiliyan Petrov.

But under Neil Lennon, it is becoming more and more the case players can use their time at Parkhead as a launch pad, and this is becoming more of a selling point for the Hoops as they try to entice new blood to the east end of Glasgow.

The exit door was as busy as ever during the last transfer window, with three big sales - Victor Wanyama, Gary Hooper and Kelvin Wilson - netting circa £20million for the Parkhead club.

Others were also cut loose, without Celtic cashing in or many headlines being written.

Among them were Paddy McCourt, Thomas Rogne, Lassad Nouioui and Miku.

The Derry Pele and injury-plagued Rogne had simply run out of time and chances, while Lassad and loan signing Miku - who was at the end of his loan - never took their opportunities.

Few Celtic fans will spend much time or effort tracking what happens next with this pair of misfiring strikers.

In fact, at 27, Tunisian international Lassad is still without a club while Venezuelan misfit, Miku, is trying to rekindle his career at Al-Gharafa Sports Club in Qatar.

But the Hoops supporters will follow with interest and pride the progress of Wanyama, who has underlined his quality with the manner he eased into a Southampton side which is performing better than anyone could have predicted in England's top flight.

Surprisingly, Hooper has not made such an impact as he has struggled to break into a Norwich team finding it tough to hit goals or form.

But given his record of scoring in the three years he was at Celtic and the two seasons he was banging them in for Scunthorpe before he arrived at Parkhead, it is surely only a matter of time before Hooper is back doing what he does best.

Wilson has retraced his steps to promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest, and was playing well until surgery on a back injury ruled him out for 12 weeks.

The expectation is he will return from his lay-off to help Billy Davies' side make their big push for a place back in the top flight.

Perhaps more predictable is that Rogne's attempt to settle in at Wigan has been blighted by frequent spells out injured.

The 23-year-old Norwegian has taken his misfortune with him as he travelled down the M74 from the Lennoxtown treatment room, managing to play in just nine of his new club's 23 matches to date.

For a lot of the time he was on the Hoops physios' table, Rogne had McCourt for company.

But the heartening news is the Northern Ireland internationalist has stayed fit long enough to win over a new army of admirers as he comes to terms with starting afresh at Barnsley.

When he was told his five years at Celtic were at an end, McCourt could have made the stands shake by joining San Jose Earthquake, while Hibs also believed they were in with a great chance of acquiring his unique set of skills at Easter Road.

But it was the less salubrious surroundings of Oakwell, and a battle against relegation from the Championsip, which held most appeal to the 29-year-old.

He has not shaken off his injury curse, but neither has he lost the magic in his boots, as a wonder goal against Middlesbrough - viewed over 200,000 times in the first week on YouTube - confirmed.

Barnsley boss, David Flitcroft, reckons much more of this and the man he signed on a one-year deal will soon be attracting the interest of much bigger clubs.

He said: "I want Paddy here longer than a year, but that will be decided by him and people above me in the club. The goal will alert people. I'd expect interest."

McCourt is not looking that far ahead. He just wants to focus on getting on the pitch as often as possible, to make up for playing time lost at Celtic.

His mind is on Barnsley, but there is no denying a part of his heart remains at Parkhead.

McCourt is philosophical about his time in the Hoops, and, more importantly, his time on the sidelines.

"If I'd have played at Celtic, I would have stayed there the rest of my career," reflected McCourt on Paradise lost. "I've no regrets.

"I enjoyed my time there, but definitely towards the end it was getting frustrating through a lack of playing. It was time to move on."

There is not bitterness, and he appreciated the opportunity the move from Derry City in 2008 represented.

McCourt said: "Celtic is a great club and I'm glad I took the chance to play there.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my five years, especially being a Celtic fan as well. It was a great experience and probably helped me as a player."

Now, it's the future which has his attention, and continuing to light up the Championship.

"Hopefully, there's a lot more to come from me," said McCourt. "I'm still getting used to playing regularly."

Which, coming from a man who is 30, says it all.