Celtic winger Marian Shved is open to the prospect of staying in Belgium with Mechelen, according to Belgian outlet Voetbalkrant.
It had been reported over the weekend that his current loan club, KV Mechelen, were in talks with the Hoops over the winger [Daily Record, 20/03, page 60].
And it appears that the player is also willing to discuss an extended stay away from Celtic Park. Voetbalkrant claims that Mechelen are working on their squad for next season and are currently locked in talks with two players. Shved is said to be one of them.
It completes a full u-turn for the Ukrainian prospect’s time in Belgium. In the early stages, he was hammered by manager Wouter Vrancken for his poor attitude [Daily Record]. Since then, he’s been a constant in the Mechelen first-team, stringing a run of 12 consecutive games together when he’s been available for selection [Transfermarkt].
Shved’s reported mindset here is a touch unsurprising. It comes after comments made to Belgian outlet GVA earlier this year, when the winger said: “In retrospect, that may not have been the right choice (to sign for Celtic). If I knew what I know now, I might have chosen the Belgian league and signed with Genk.”
Celtic winger Marian Shved should resist temptation to stay in Belgium for now
It’s terrific that Shved has managed to find his way back into senior football again. After signing for Brendan Rodgers back in 2019, he would only go on to make three appearances for the club before moving to Mechelen in the summer.
But he’s one of many players who simply must take the opportunity to impress the new regime in the summer. With Celtic getting set to undergo substantial managerial and board-room change this summer, it will be like returning to a new club for players such as Shved.
He’ll be given a fair chance to show what he can do in Glasgow. And it’s a prospect that is sure to intrigue the Celtic supporters. After all, his incredible goal against Nomme Kalju back in 2019 had us hungry for more, but he wasn’t given much of an opportunity.
Shved will have plenty of time to make a move in the summer if he feels it’s necessary. But you have to wonder how wise it would be to jump ship so soon. He could have a fine pre-season back in Scotland and really grab his opportunity.
The last thing he’ll want to have next season is regret. Especially considering he plays in a position in which Celtic are woefully short. Outside of James Forrest, we don’t have an alternative right-winger.
There’s no reason Shved can’t be that option next term. Hopefully we get another look at him in the summer, despite his reported interest in staying away.
In other news, a £1.5m international defender has hinted that he’s ready for another Celtic chance.
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