The versatile midfielder has seen the plug pulled on a move to Glasgow’s East End from the Croatian side
Canada star Niko Sigur(Image: )
Hadjuk Split star Niko Sigur is reportedly now “unlikely” to join Celtic – after the transfer was put on hold earlier this week.
Canada international Sigur saw the deal put on hold earlier this week following Wilfried Nancy ‘s sacking. The Frenchman was relieved of his duties following a disastrous stint in which he lost six of his eight matches at the helm, with Martin O’Neill now once again placed in charge for the remainder of the season.
Reports in Croatia said the 22-year-old had “agreed” the deal before Nancy’s departure – and was in line to become the 48-year-old’s second signing after the arrival of full back Julian Araujo on loan from Bournemouth. But 24Sata claim that the deal has hit two roadblocks this week.
It appears there has been a change of heart from inside Celtic Park following Nancy’s departure for the versatile star – who can player as a defensive midfielder or at right back. The club had also reportedly only been open to allowing one of Sigur and teammate Fran Karacic to leave this month.
Amid talks with Celtic, Karacic saw his loan move to Osijek brought to a halt – but he has now put pen to paper on the move. They note that the door is not completely closed – as a “good offer” could spark a major rethink of Sigur’s future this month.
Sigur spent time in the youth academies in his homeland with Vancouver Whitecaps and Vaughan Azzuri before joining Split back in 2022. He was called-up as a stand-by to the senior Croatia squad for Euro 2024 before changing his international allegiances to Canada, who he has won 15 caps for alongside Celtic favourite Alistair Johnston.
Ahead of the clash with Dundee United, O’Neill admitted there was an urgent need for recruits in Glasgow’s East End – following the collapse of a move for Kyogo Furuhashi.
He said: “I need players, if we can, who are ready to go. I need players to be ready. My job is to aim for that. I am selfish, I need people in to go now. I am going for both – quantity and quality.
“Number one, you want someone to help the squad. That’s a given. If I was given some sort of assurance that something would happen in ten days, I might wait for that. But I can’t wait forever.
“We have three weeks and a lot of games between now and then. I do accept this is a difficult time and it’s not ideal, but we do need something.”
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