Joel van den Berg’s Celtic situation has become a talking point after loan speculation emerged around the summer signing.

The 19-year-old arrived from PSV with a strong reputation, but he has yet to make his first-team debut for Celtic.

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However, journalist Michael Gannon has offered important context around the situation, making clear that Van den Berg’s immediate focus is not a loan move, but getting back to full fitness.

Speaking on Daily Record Hotline Live, Gannon said: “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.

“As yet, no defined return date being given. It’s one thing to be asked again this week when we speak to Martin.”

Van den Berg has not had a proper chance to show what he can do under Martin O’Neill. Being out injured so early after arriving has made it difficult for him to build rhythm, settle into the squad and push for minutes.

Gannon added: “I think this kid’s gonna have a big future.”

He continued: “I also think it’s getting them fit, getting them integrated into the squad and then see what he looks like at the end of the year.

“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 also addressed the speculation, but stressed that nothing had been confirmed.

He said: “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. I have spoke to a couple of people in the Netherlands that are familiar with the youngster, his family and his agents. They’ve not confirmed that the player has been told that.

“It’s an unconfirmed rumour at this time but it does make a little bit of sense because he is nowhere near getting game time in this Celtic side. He is a young boy and Celtic have big hopes for him, but his future certainly isn’t looking all that great if he is sitting rotting and just not getting game time for the entire season.”

Gannon said: “He wasn’t far off in Holland at PSV. He played a handful of games for the first team.

“So get fit, get yourself into the squad and start competing for a place. By January, be really competing. I think that’s the current roadmap for him.”

A January loan may become a discussion if he is still nowhere near the team by then, but right now the picture is more straightforward. Celtic need to get Van den Berg fit, integrated and ready to compete.

That is probably where the situation sits for now. Van den Berg arrived, made the bench twice, then the injury got in the way before he could properly get started. Until he is fit and back in front of O’Neill every day at Lennoxtown, talk of a January loan feels premature rather than certain.