Celtic perfectly placed to cash in on wantaway centre-back Erik Sviatchenko

Follow us on Google Discover

Erik Sviatchenko reportedly wants to quit Celtic and return home with Danish giants Copenhagen.

It’s almost the established viewpoint in football that, when a player makes clear that he sees his future elsewhere, it makes little sense to force them to stay against their will.

After all, an unhappy player can cause divisions in the dressing room and disruptions in the press. Just ask Liverpool, with manager Jurgen Klopp growing increasingly irate after batting away question after question about Philippe Coutinho’s future.

Therefore, with the Scottish Sun reporting that Erik Sviatchenko is keen on a return to his homeland with Danish giants Copenhagen, Celtic have a decision to make.

On one hand, there is just over a week remaining in the transfer window and, with the Champions League group stage on the horizon, it makes little sense to part company with such an important and established squad member.

Furthermore, the report adds that Copenhagen have offered just £2.7 million for Sviatchenko – not even double what Celtic paid to sign him from Midtjylland in January of last year.

On the other hand, however, Sviatchenko’s desire to leave puts Celtic in a difficult position. The 25-year-old fell down the pecking order under Brendan Rodgers last season with Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Simunovic his first choice defensive pairing as The Bhoys sealed a stunning domestic treble.

And, as reported by the Daily Record, Sviatchenko made his frustrations with a lack of first-team opportunities very clear indeed.

Replacements in place?

Going into the new season, Sviatchenko still appeared to be third choice. And, though injuries to Boyata and Sviatchenko himself have left Celtic looking light at the back, they may soon be in a position to let the Dane leave without too much fear.

After all, the Daily Record reports that a deal to sign South African international centre-back Rivaldo Coetzee is close while midfielder Nir Bitton has adapted superbly when asked to fill in in the back four recently. Kristoffer Ajer, meanwhile, is a talented young defender rated very highly by Rodgers.

Therefore, if Copenhagen up their offer, there’s little reason for Celtic to keep an unhappy Sviatchenko at the club.