Peter Grant has made the claim tonight that he reckons Ange Postecoglou signing Alistair Johnston is a signal that Josip Juranovic is most likely going to be leaving Celtic Park soon. It comes after Fabrizio Romano confirmed on social media this evening that talks are now at a very advanced stage and that only some final details are to be thrashed out by the two clubs.
Josip is a first pick international with the Croatian national side and we always knew there might be a cycle on his time here when he joined from Legia Warsaw back in the summer of 2021. At just £2.5 million, he has to go down as one of the best value for money signings in our modern history. If we do sell the right-back, we will be looking for considerably more than the amount we paid for him.
He is an ever-present for his country and having played at major tournaments and now both Europa League and Champions League group stage level, he has the experience to justify a large outlay for anyone looking to snap him up. Kristoffer Ajer went for £14 million or so and I would think Celtic would be looking for more considering his credentials.
Celtic legend, Grant, spoke tonight on The Go Radio Football Show and revealed that there must be a plan in place by Ange and the board as he can’t imagine there being three international right-back all competing for the one spot. “It’s interesting as I thought he did very well the other evening, like the whole Canada team did”, he said.
“It’s interesting as you have Juranovic and Anthony Ralston there. I don’t think young Tony has never let himself down since the manager has come in while Juranovic has done very well.
“But obviously there must be talk of Juranovic either going in this window or in the summer time. It’s probably the preparation the manager is doing at this moment in time. He’s maybe spoke to Juranovic about these things, whether he’s going to leave, whether Celtic are going to get good money for him. They’ll maybe be thinking it’s one in and one out.”
Paul Gillespie
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