Celtic flop Marian Shved is being eyed by Ukranian giants Shakhtar Donetsk as Celtic’s old European foe look to rebuild for next season. Shved moved to Belgium with Mechelen a couple of years ago, after he endured a frustrating time of it at Parkhead. The small winger is another shining example of the failed transfer and recruitment strategy under the antiquated oversight of Peter Lawwell for some years.
Initially brought to Celtic during the tenure of Brendan Rodgers, the manager quipped that he had ‘about a million wingers’ when the attacker was given to him from above. Another project signing, Shved ended up just like Kundai Benyu, Luca Connell, Jonathan Afolabi and may others when it came to making an impact at Celtic Park.
On one occasion he showed a flash of brilliance in a Champions League qualifier against Nomme Kalju, when he came off of the bench to score a wonderful first time strike into the top hand corner of the goal which hit like a bolt of lightening. That was really the only thing of note he done during his two years or so in Glasgow and cut a frustrated and depressed figure on the margins at Lennoxtown.
According to a report now by football24.ua, Donetsk are watching the ex-Sevilla man closely as they bide their time with a potential bid for Shved. It is also claimed that Mechelen would be looking for around €2 million should the Ukrainians wish to take the player to his homeland this close season.
As usual, it all depends on other variables falling into place as Shakhtar wait to appoint a new manager – with Igor Jovichevich in the frame but not deal as of yet having been agreed. Although it does appear if Jovichevich is appointed, Marian would be his first signing target.
Maybe Celtic could benefit from this deal if they included a sell-on when they sold Marian to Mechelen for a modest sum?
Paul Gillespie
