THE loan system is again coming under scrutiny as the next transfer window comes into view.

Last summer, Celtic used it extensively, bringing in half a team on temporary contracts.

Some, like Jason Denayer, have proved to be a huge success. Others, like Wakaso Mubarak, Aleksander Tonev and Jo-Inge Berget, have not.

Well, actually, even in the case of these three, it has proved beneficial because if they had been signed on permanent contracts, Celtic would be stuck with them for a lot longer, with all the cost that involves.

Look at Stefan Scepovic. The club did decide to buy him outright, and I am still to be convinced this is going to work out for either party.

So I am not against utilising the loan system as such. It's just important you get the right type of player.

Jason is a case in point. Like Fraser Forster before him, he came to Celtic to get games and experience which was not available to him at his parent club.

Both players not only flourished here, but went on to break into their respective national teams. That shows how beneficial such a move can be for a young player trying to progress.

The other side of the coin is guys like Aleksander, Jo-Inge and Wakaso, who were available because the clubs who had bought them wanted them to move out. It's not very often players in that situation prove to be a hit at their loan club.

Ronny Deila wants Jason to come back for another season when his current deal runs out at the end of next month.

But he has got to go back to City to allow them to assess in pre-season how much this term has brought him on. That's not ideal because City will not start training by the time Celtic - hopefully - kick off their Champions League qualifiers in mid-July.

The chances are he would not be back for that round or the next. And, if he does come back, he will be behind the rest of the squad in terms of his fitness.

Jason appears confident he is ready to compete for a place at City, and maybe he is. Ronny can't wait to find out, and has to bring in another central defender just in case.

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