Celtic winger Marian Shved makes first start since 2019 as Mechelen find impressive win

By John McGinley

January 17, 2021

The rehabilitation of Celtic winger Marian Shved continues at Mechelen.

The Ukrainian loan player made his fourth consecutive appearance for the Belgian club on Saturday.

He’s been coming off the bench recently but was actually trusted to start for the first time this season.

Remarkably it’s his first start for any team since arriving at Celtic in the summer of 2019.

Mechelen are clearly beginning to have more faith in his abilities.

Shved has been severely criticised by his manager and teammates this season for his poor attitude in training.

However, after clear the air talks, he is now much more involved and this start is a major sign of that.

Mechelen picked up a 1-0 win over Sporting Charleroi with him in the side.

That’s an impressive victory when you consider Charleroi are sitting in fourth position and pushing for a European spot. Mechelen meanwhile are fighting against relegation.

Yesterday’s away win ensured they are seven points clear of the bottom two sides after 21 matches.

Shved’s task will now be starting regularly between now and the end of the season. If he can get his head down and impress in Belgium, his options will be plentiful this summer.

Celtic winger Marian Shved in action for Celtic / (Photo by Vincent Van Doornick/Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images)

There’s a chance he could stay in Belgium, return to Celtic or even move elsewhere.

However, it all hinges on him proving he can train effectively and put off the pitch problems aside to perform consistently outside of Ukraine.

Definitely a situation to watch over the coming weeks and months.

In other news, Kenny Dalglish has predicted major Dermot Desmond led changes at Celtic.