David Friel believes that Celtic are still in contention to sign Ermin Mahmic.
The Sun reporter has been ahead of the curve with Celtic transfer news this summer. On June 19 he revealed interest in signing Camilo Duran from Qarabag, a few weeks later he broke the news about revived interest in Kasper Hogh.
Mahmic has been heavily linked with Celtic over the last fortnight but Ruesday’s Champions League exit is bound to have ramifications.
Celtic are likely to have a lower budget for players while the carrot of playing in UEFA’s most glamorous competition has been removed.
Mahmic played in the World Cup Finals for Bosnia with an expectation that he will move on from Slovan Liberic this summer.
Celtic transfer activity has come to a standstill since the 5-1 defeat to LASK on Tuesday night.
With less than a week to go until the window closes some serious activity is expected over the weekend.
Other than the striking positions Celtic are needing to strengthen almost area of the Starting XI and squad.
Turning to midfield Friel gave the lowdown on where things stand with Mahmic
THE VIEW OF FRIEL ON MAHMIC
The Mahmic one, like Niko Sigur, a lot of reports come from various places, especially abroad.
You are almost trying to cut through it all and say what is right and wrong, and it is quite hard sometimes.
You have people abroad adamant that somethings happened. Then you will eventually speak to someone and they will say Celtic aren’t even interested in him.
The Mahmic one, I think he is certainly a player Celtic have liked.
He is the type of player that Celtic should be buying, someone of that profile, to build for the future.
There doesn’t appear to be strong speculation over other clubs looking at Mehmic with a transfer fee expected around £6-8m.
In profile he seems to a Ben Nygren, attacking midfielder rather than an Arne Engel type replacement.
Since the double signing of Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan on August 13 and 14 Celtic haven’t made any more additions.
Martin O’Neill has spoken of the need to bring more players in but has been light on what areas of the team he is looking to strengthen.
Celtic have to register their Europa League squad with UEFA by 11pm on September 2. The SFA registration deadline is at 5pm on Thursday September 3.
CLICK HERE for Mahmic Transfermarkt profile
Forget any progress in the Europa League if we don’t sign a hugely experienced, physical sitting midfielder……
HH
Barry Blue to the sevco rescue for the remainder of the season.
You all heard it here first.
Should the Aberdeen game be McInnes last game in charge of sevco,watch out at his press conference,giving it the Stevie G script, Scottish football and others have it in for this klub.
Talking of Stevie G,it must be time again for that wee fantastical game of guess the next sevco manager, guaranteed his name is getting mentioned,but the heavy betting money is on wee shellsuit Bob,sorry Barry.
So a £4m signing is now out of the question
That is f*cking outrageous
Like Johnny Rotten once said
EVER GET THE FEELING YOU”RE BEING CHEATED ?