CELTIC yesterday confirmed that Carlton Cole, the former Chelsea, West Ham and England striker, had been released.

The 32-year-old joined the Scottish champions in November after impressing Ronny Deila, the former manager, during a trial at Lennoxtown.

However, Cole scored just one goal, in a Scottish Cup game against part-time Stranraer at Stair Park in January, in five appearances for the Parkhead club.

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Despite being under contract with Celtic until the end of the 2016/17 campaign, Cole has been told his services are no longer required.

He is the latest player to be freed by Brendan Rodgers, who was appointed manager last month, after Colin Kazim-Richards and Anthony Stokes were let go last week.

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Cole’s departure was announced in a brief statement on the official Celtic website yesterday.

The Herald:

It read: "Celtic Football Club today confirmed that Carlton Cole is leaving the club. Everyone at Celtic would sincerely like to wish Carlton the very best of success for the future."

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Deila admitted after he announced he was going to stand down as Celtic manager last season that his squad was too big and there would have to be a cull of players during the summer.