Banik Ostrava coach Pavel Hapal is confident Ladislav Almasi will stay at the Czech outfit despite reports linking him with a move to Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side, speaking to Denik.
This really is the last thing Scottish Premiership defences need. Another reliable source of goals arriving to supplement Celtic’s already free-scoring frontline.
Giorgios Giakoumakis may leave sooner rather than later due to an ongoing contract dispute but the Hoops have made quite the habit of finding high-quality replacements for departing stars. And 6ft 5ins Almasi would arrive on the back of five goals in seven league games this term.
The Slovakia international notched a further 16 in 32 across 2021/22.
But, when quizzed about the future of his man mountain number nine, Banik Ostrava’s coach did not sound like a man losing much sleep.
Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic like Slovakia and Banik Ostrava striker Ladislav Almasi
“I told the management that I do not want any significant changes,” Hapal says. “Because I am convinced that the team has great potential. The quality is there. Maybe we could strengthen in one position, but we’ll see.
“From the information I have, I believe (Almasi) will stay. There is nothing concrete about his departure yet.”
Almasi featured against Celtic in a pre-season friendly a few months ago. And he’s certainly not shying away from the speculation. In fact, he’s embracing it.
“It’s definitely motivation,” the 23-year-old explains. “Anyway, so far, I take it all as speculation. (My current form is down to) a lot of work, but mainly match practice. Last but not least, my team-mates help me a lot.”
Celtic, casting their net far and wide in pursuit of bargain buys, could once again tap into the Far East market in pursuit of a new centre-forward. South Korea international Cho Gue-Sung is another on Postecoglou’s radar.
Compatriot Oh Hyeon-Gyu, meanwhile, admitted over the weekend that he would relish the prospect of joining some of Asia’s most exciting talent – including Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate – at Parkhead.
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