A loan move may be 'the next step' for Celtic defender Dane Murray, according to The Daily Record's Mark Pirie. 

The lowdown

Murray came on at half time in the first leg of Celtic's Champions League qualifier against FC Midtjylland in July after Nir Bitton was sent off, and he kept his place for the second leg.

Celtic were ultimately knocked out after extra time, and Murray hasn't featured for Ange Postecoglou's senior side since. His only action has come at reserve level.

Team-mate Stephen Welsh had been impressed with the 18-year-old against the Danes, hailing him as 'fantastic, both on the ball and defensively'.

Murray could now join fellow Hoops youngsters Luca Connell, Jonathan Afolabi, Kerry McInroy and Ross Doohan out on loan.

The latest

Pirie writes that Murray will be 'desperate' for a first-team recall, but his chances look slim, with Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers seemingly the 'current first-choice defensive pairing'.

'A loan stint away from Glasgow's east end' may be the logical next move, he adds.

The verdict

While Murray wasn't entirely convincing in the second leg against Midtjylland, it is a little surprising that he's not even featured in the matchday squad for a league game.

He might be finding it a little dispiriting after a debut which seemed to herald a breakthrough season.

Still, a loan move that will allow to build his experience of top-flight football seems smart, particularly as Christopher Jullien's return will only push him further down the pecking order.

In other news, Celtic tried to sign this left-back last summer.