BRENDAN Rodgers has revealed that Charly Musonda has returned to Chelsea early because he needs to be playing regular first team football and he is unable to give him a game at Celtic ahead of Callum McGregor.

Musonda, the 21-year-old Belgian playmaker who arrived in Glasgow in January, was due to be at Parkhead on loan for 18 months, but he has hardly featured and has gone back to Stamford Bridge.

Rodgers revealed that he flew to London on Monday to discuss the situation with Chelsea officials and all parties involved agreed that it was best for the diminutive player to move on.

“Charlie signed an 18-month loan deal with a break at the end of the season to discuss where it’s at and we both felt that I can't guarantee what he needs at this stage of his career,” he said.

“He’s at a stage where he needs to play and play week in, week out and unfortunately, I couldn’t guarantee him that. We had a look at it and it was best for him to go back and probably pick up a loan somewhere else.

"There’s no denying Charlie’s talent, but you can only play 11 players and in the position that’s probably his best, Callum McGregor’s playing brilliantly. I won’t just bring players in on loan and think I have to play them.

“Working with young players and knowing development I know what he needs and he needs to go and play somewhere where he’ll get 40-games next season.

“He’s a really clever boy, a young kid who needs to just get some games really,” he said. “He loved the club, you saw him the day we won the title and celebrating. He was a good boy, but he’ll want to play football.”