St Mirren are doing ‘all we can’ to keep star goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky from joining Scottish Premiership rivals Rangers or Celtic this summer, Buddies boss Jim Goodwin has told BBC Sport.
The Czech Republic shot-stopper might have spent just 14 months in Paisley but he has already etched his name into St Mirren history for all the right reasons.
Hladky, in the eyes of some, is the greatest goalkeeper ever to wear the Buddies badge on his chest. The 29-year-old’s heroics in the penalty shoot-out victory over Dundee United in last season’s relegation play-off was just one of many virtuoso performances from arguably the finest glovesman on Scottish soil right now.
But, with Hladky’s contract set to expire in July, he might have already played his final game for St Mirren. The former Slovan Liberac man told the Sun that Rangers have made contract over a potential move to Ibrox, while Neil Lennon would love to bring Hladky to Celtic given the opportunity (Sun).
So Goodwin may be fighting a losing battle as he dreams of agreeing a new, long-term deal for his star man.
“We’ll do all we can to hold on to him,” Goodwin said. “We’re in constant discussions with a number of players and Vaclav is paramount to that.
“He’s been a huge success in the last couple of seasons and is, in my opinion, one of the top three or four keepers in the league.
“He has attracted interest from clubs not only in Scotland but also south of the border and abroad. We’re doing all we can to keep the good players at the club.
“We can only make them offers that fit within our structures and out budget. If somebody comes in with a bigger and better offer, what can we do about it?”
Allan McGregor can certainly rival Hladky for the claim to be Scotland’s finest goalkeeper. But the Rangers legend is 39 now and cannot go on forever. A replacement will be needed sooner rather than later.
Celtic, meanwhile, are facing up to the prospect of losing loanee Fraser Forster when the prodigal son returns to parent club Southampton.
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