Tony Mowbray met Dmitry Verkhovtsov yesterday to get the measure of the Belarus defender he can purchase for £500,000, but the Celtic manager has warned that his January transfer window activity will not be conducted at the expense of selling his title ambitions short.
Mowbray is eager to trim the Celtic squad, not only to allow fringe players to find first-team football elsewhere, but to free up wages that can be made available to new recruits. However, he insisted yesterday that his aim is to “balance” the financial and football aspirations.
So while 23-year-old Verkhovstov, who trained with Celtic yesterday at their Lennoxtown complex after arriving from Belarus on Sunday, could conclude a deal that sees the 12-times capped centre back move from Naftan Novopolotsk, Mowbray is in no mood to offload players with the Clydesdale Bank Premier League championship still a potential prize.
Numerous suitors are keen on his players, notably Aiden McGeady, who was linked with Everton on Sunday, and Arthur Boruc, the Poland goalkeeper, who is of interest to Tottenham Hotspur. Gary Caldwell is also a signing target for Gordon Strachan, the man who took him to Celtic Park and is now Barry Robson, Scott McDonald, Paul Caddis and Chris Killen are also reported to interest several English sides.
Mowbray said yesterday, however: “It’s a wait-and-see scenario. It’s about balancing your squad, and balancing what comes in as opposed to what might go out.
“We have to make sure we don’t leave any gaping holes in the squad and that all areas are covered for injuries or fatigue or suspension. There will be inquiries for some of our players, of course. But we will decide when the other people come in if we let them go out or not.”
Mowbray has just purchased Ki Sung Yueng, the South Korea midfield player, for £2 million from FC Seoul and Verkhovtsov hopes that he will be next. The Belarus defender said: “I’m confident the deal will go through. I’ll need a work visa, but I’m sure it will be OK.”
The area in his team that Mowbray is most keen to improve is central defence. Caldwell is in the last six months of his contract and has not signed a new deal, prompting the belief that Celtic will try to obtain a fee for him now. That is why Mowbray is also assessing Matthew Kilgallon, Sheffield United’s central defender, whose situation mirrors Caldwell’s in that the 25-year-old is free to sign a pre-contract agreement from Friday, and the Coca-Cola Championship club may also opt to receive some compensation now.
Verkhovstov caught Celtic’s eye when he played for his country in their World Cup qualifying ties with England. He will train this week with Celtic’s squad before the Old Firm derby but would not be eligible to play against Rangers even if a deal went through on January 1.
“I’m delighted to be here and I hope everything will go well this week,” he said. “I want to play for Celtic and I believe I can make a difference. I’m strong in the air and two-footed. This is the chance of my life — and I want to sign for Celtic as quickly as possible.
“I know Celtic are one of the two biggest teams in Scotland and they always play in Europe. It is my dream to play for them. I am looking forward to meeting the players and hearing about the club’s plans for the future.
Verkhovtsov is rumoured to be attracting interest from clubs in Russia, Germany and Ukraine but said: “Celtic are my first choice.”
Mowbray also wants to acquire, Olivier Giroud, the striker from Tours, the French club, but has also stated an interest in Florin Costea, a 24-year-old Romania striker rated at £2 million by his club, Universitatea Craiova.
In addition, Lech Poznan, of Poland, have asked Celtic to make their bid for Semir Stilic, a long-time midfield target. Stilic is a Bosnian valued at £1.5 million.
“What we hope to do in January is add players to help the squad and to help the existing players and not necessarily replace them,” Mowbray said. “We have been working very hard in the last few months to identify footballers and areas of the team which need strengthening and that continues, but there are no guarantees that we will bring in anyone other than Ki.”
Source:timesonline.co.uk/
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