Celtic midfielder Oliver Abildgaard has joined Hellas Verona on loan until the end of the season, as confirmed by the Serie A side.

The 26-year-old joined the Hoops in the summer on a one-year deal but failed to make an impact.

He made only nine appearances for the Scottish champions after arriving from Rubin Kazan. 

When captain Callum McGregor got injured away to RB Leipzig in the Champions League, it looked like the Dane would be given the opportunity of some game-time.

However, it was Matt O'Riley who ended up providing cover for the number six position instead.

Abildgaard was the third player to join from the Russian side after the acquisitions of Carl Starfelt and Sead Haksabanovic.

READ MORE: Postecoglou confirms 'four or five' could transfer away from Celtic

Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou acknowledged that players would be leaving the club in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Livingston.

He said: "Anyone who has played football and has been a meaningful contributor won't be leaving in this window.

"The ones who leave are the ones who haven't got a lot of regular game time and there are four or five of them in the squad.

"I am not going to talk about individuals because if nothing happens I don't want that to become that players are staying reluctantly.

"There are four or five in that category, two of whom you mentioned who are exploring opportunities right now.

"Meanwhile, Celtic defender Stephen Welsh "will not" join Sheffield Wednesday on loan until."

And the Australian also revealed that he was satisfied with the business that the club has conducted during January.

"Our objective this window was to strengthen the squad and look for opportunities that would help us achieve that goal," he continued. 

"The January window is a unique one where we can take advantage of certain things, which I think we did last January.

"I think we have done that again by hitting markets where you can get deals done pretty quickly."

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