Ange Postecoglou claims there is simply ‘nothing going on’ regarding Josip Juranovic leaving the club despite links to Newcastle United.
Many have expected Juranovic to leave Celtic during the January transfer window.
Celtic have already signed a new right back with Alistair Johnston set to arrive from CF Montreal during the January transfer window.
That seemingly signalled that Juranovic would be leaving after shining for Croatia at the World Cup in Qatar.
The Sunday Post (11/12, back page) reported earlier this month that Newcastle United have now joined the race to sign Juranovic.
Chelsea, Manchester United and West Ham are all interested in Juranovic and his January exit has almost felt like a given.
However, Celtic boss Ange Postecolgou has now indicated that there is nothing happening with regards to exits.
Postecoglou has told the Daily Record that Celtic don’t have offers for any player right now, including Juranovic.
The Australian noted that Juranovic was ‘brilliant’ at the World Cup but there is ‘nothing going on’ for him to leave.
“Josip’s not back yet. He had a great World Cup. Absolutely, he had a great World Cup, he was brilliant. Credit to him,” said Postecoglou. “He’s got something now that he’ll have forever. He represented our football club really well, as did all the boys in the World Cup. He’s got a week off now and he’ll be back training early next week and ready to go.”
“All this speculation, let me tell you right now; we don’t have an offer for any player. People can talk about offers and clubs wanting them but I can’t spend my time chasing shadows or what’s in the press every morning, because I’d be spending my whole day talking to players.”
“As I keep saying to people, what I see is what’s before me every day here at training. If there’s an issue or players have things put in front of them about their future, I’m sure they’ll come and see me and Michael (Nicholson, CEO) will speak to their representatives.
“But right now, there’s nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada. Nothing going on,” he added.
Newcastle move would be a surprise for Juranovic
Newcastle will have had scouts watching the World Cup and it would be more of a surprise if they weren’t impressed.
The Magpies are seemingly in the market for a right back too given that Emil Krafth and Javi Manquillo surely not part of the long-term plans.
Yet Newcastle do have a star first-choice right back in Kieran Trippier, and he isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
If Newcastle are to sign a right back, it would make more sense for a young player to come in and learn from Trippier before eventually taking over from him.
Links to Ivan Fresneda, Cody Drameh and Harrison Ashby therefore make sense, or at least much more sense than Juranovic.
The Celtic ace is already 27 and would be looking to feature prominently if he is to leave Celtic – and we just can’t see that happening at Newcastle right now.
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