Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers expects there to be a natural cycle of players moving on this summer. 

The recently crowned Scottish Cup and Premiership winners will play Champions League football next season and Rodgers has made it no secret that he wants to bolster his squad in order to compete strongly on the continental stage. 

Reports today have claimed as many as eight first team players could be shown the exit door over the coming months, and now the Hoops boss has explained why he sees there being a lot of changes during the close-season. 

Undisputed number one Joe Hart will hang up his gloves for the final time, while Matt O'Riley continues to attract interest from around Europe following another impressive season. 

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports alongside Celtic captain Callum McGregor, Rodgers addressed his transfer plans and said: "I think there will be a natural change. The thing is we have players, some of them who will have been here for three years, and if you look at the cycle at Celtic then there is normally that change in that third year. 

READ MORE: The eight Celtic players who could head for 'transfer exit'

"So, it's getting another step in the types of profiles that I would want within the squad to allow us to progress and to develop. 

"But for this season, I've been really proud of the team and then come the summer, we will look to add those bits of quality. 

"Obviously we have got the likes of Joe (Hart) who's retiring so we have to fill that void as well. But it's a real bright future. 

"We will take that into pre-season and then we will look to thrive from the beginning of next season."