Short Arms, Long Pockets – Slovan Bratislava and Cruzeiro bosses no match for Peter Lawwell at transfer talks

YOU can’t blame the bosses of clubs like Slovan Bratislava and Cruzeiro for trying their best to achieve top dollar prices for their star players. And when they hear that one of the clubs sniffing around is a world fashion club Celtic then it’s understandable that they think they’ve hit the jackpot.

Other usually unnamed clubs, usually from Italy,Russia or England are mentioned in an attempt to create a strong, competitive marketplace for their star players and hopefully to flus out as much cash as possible from what might just be the only genuine bidder at this stage.

There will be plenty of enquiries, scouts are out all the time and Director of Football types are paid know the market, the wage scales, likely transfer targets and ‘reserves’ should their first, second or even third top target fails to materialise. Working their way down a list they might even get serious about the Slovan Bratislava and Cruzeiro players in the news because of Celtic.

We said it the other day. A bird in the hand and all that and there is no way whatsoever that these guys are going to flush out over-the-odds prices from Peter Lawwell. Celtic like to do their business privately but both clubs went public about Celtic interest in their respective players, Andraz Sporar and Fabricio Bruno. That means the stories are going to be all over the media and failure to sign the players could put pressure on Lawwell – or so the bosses at Slovan Bratislava and Cruzeiro might hope. All they need to do to find out how much consideration the Celtic CEO gives to the views of the Celtic support is to Google Resolution 12.

A bird in the hand, chaps. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. The Celtic interest is genuine and the valuation will be no more than reasonable. And they will walk away if you over-play your hand. It really is that simple.

Neil Lennon was asked about the discussions that have been taking place between both these clubs and Celtic. Here’s what he had to say at his Media Conference, as reported by Scottish Sun.

“I believe there were talks between the clubs but he’s one of a number of options we are talking to at the moment.

“There is no further progress on that at the minute. There will be other clubs interested in the players that we are interested in too.

“Agents, presidents, they will hold on to get the best offer and best deal. I get that. That’s their job. If we can get players out to Dubai with us, brilliant.

“If not, we’ve got the whole month to do a bit of business. I’ve done lots on the last day of windows which has worked out fine. Sometimes it’s a game of patience.

“I know the fans will be impatient and other people will be impatient, but it’s just not the way it works sometimes.

“And, if we don’t do anything, I’ll be quite happy with what we’ve got, although I do think there are one or two areas we can strengthen. As a unit and as a squad, they are in a really good place But new faces can give you a boost – as long as they are the right quality.

“It pushes the squad on a little bit more. The ones we brought into the club in August have given the squad a lift through either their personality or the quality of their play.

“Their all-round personalities, they have really added something and a real good level of professionalism as well.”

And just a note on any stores that might link clubs with interest in some of Celtic’s top stars – players like Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer – the Celtic manager has confirmed that there is no chance these players would be sold unless of course the money is such that Peter Lawwell simply cannot say no. See, two can play at that game.

“I am quite calm about that. I think we will be fine. We don’t have to sell and we don’t want to sell.

“That will be the message, unless we get an out-of-this-world offer for somebody.”

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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