Callum McGregor is convinced Celtic can keep hold of their star men this summer as the Hoops hop back on the trail of the trail of Rubin Kazan ace Sead Haksabanovic.
Josip Juranovic, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Matt O’Riley have been linked with big money moves to England but boss Ange Postecoglou’s focus is on strengthening his squad rather than cashing in on assets. Montenegrin Haksabanovic is back on the radar and is ready to leave the Russian outfit with a number of clubs monitoring his situation.
The wide man is currently training alone with his future unclear. Reports in Russia stated recently that the Parkhead outfit had been offered the 23-year-old in the summer but, despite signing Carl Starfelt from the same club just over a year ago, made no move. However, with Haksabanovic still available and Rubin are understood to be considering offloading their £6 million purchase from IFK Norkopping at a slashed price or even on a temporary basis, despite him signing a five-year deal just 15 months ago.
Record Sport understands the 18-times capped star remains on the list of potential transfer options with just a couple of weeks remaining in the window and boss Ange Postecoglou still in the market for new faces.
The attacker, who operates mainly off the left wing but can play central or on the right, spent time at West Ham and Malaga earlier in his career. Haksabanovic was loaned to Djurgardens this year due to FIFA regulations regarding temporary contract suspensions after the conflict started in Ukraine and is now poised for another switch out of his current club.
It is understood the Swedes are keen to extend the player’s stay. Sporting director Bosse Andersson confirmed recently they still hold some of his paperwork and make a deal happen after the close of the transfer window if he is not picked up.
But sources in Sweden have confirmed that Haksabanovic has set his heart on a move to Parkhead having been informed of the interest. Postecoglou admitted business could still be done but his captain is convinced there won’t be any current stars heading in the opposite direction.
Juranovic has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea, O’Riley’s is being tracked by several EPL outfits and top scorer Giakoumakis is also gaining attention down south.
McGregor insisted this is no time to be jumping ship as he said: “It’s a good place to be. There’s a lot of players who have just came in to the club and they are just at the start of their journeys here in terms of what they want to achieve.
“We’ve got the Champions League, defending the league title – it’s an exciting time. I wouldn’t imagine anyone would be wanting to go anywhere too quickly.”
McGregor insisted no heads have been turned in the Hoops dressing room.
He said: “It’s been fine. When the team is doing well there’s bound to be speculation. We’ve all been in football long enough to know it’s just speculation until something concrete happens.
“Then you deal with it when it comes.
“We’ve got a really good environment here in the training ground and on the pitch. Everyone is super close and we’re all working hard together.
“Everyone is in good spirits and focused on the football we are playing. Until something concrete happens it’s not unsettling in the slightest. We’re just getting on with it.”
Celts have made an impressive 100 percent start to the season ahead of Sunday’s clash with Hearts but McGregor has warned rivals his side are just getting warmed up.
He said: “We have more gears to come. The more games we play the more we get match sharpness and we find our rhythm.
“It’s been good so far but there’s definitely more to come. We’re only going to get sharper.”
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