UNAM Pumas goalkeeper Keylor Navas has responded to speculation about Efrain Juarez becoming the new Celtic manager.
Juarez became the latest name linked to the Hoops, who are still searching for their long-term Brendan Rodgers replacement.
To make things even more appealing, Juarez has a release clause unique to European clubs, making it a genuine possibility that the former Celtic midfielder could return to Glasgow.
Champions League winner Navas is currently playing for him in Mexico, and has had his say on the recent links.
Keylor Navas not surprised by Efrain Juarez to Celtic links
Having seen it all, the Costa Rica international isn’t surprised by anything that happens in football and admitted that it is no shock to hear that the talented 37-year-old has been linked with the Bhoys’ top job.
He told AS Mexico: “Weeks ago, the news was that Efra was leaving the team, now it’s that another team [Celtic] wants him, and that’s part of football.
“When a group has that trust, that communication, between the coaching staff and the players, it’s because we’re all on the same page.
“Everything said outside shouldn’t affect us, neither the negative nor the positive. As we always say, we can’t let the positive get us too high or the negative gets us down.
“For us as footballers, it’s a privilege when people speak well of our coach. It lets us know we’re in good hands. We know his ability and talent.
“Whether other teams want him, I don’t know if it’s true, but it wouldn’t surprise us at all. Good coaches and good players always have rumours about who wants them, but what we’re clear about is our commitment to this club.”
Pumas open to letting Juarez leave
Any side will want to do their best to keep their manager at the club if they are performing well, but due to the clause in the Mexican’s contract, there seems to be an air of inevitability to suggest that he will be leaving sooner rather than later.
As they will receive no compensation should he come to Celtic, it is no surprise to hear that they are already planning for the possibility of life without the 37-year-old.
Juarez currently has two years left to run on his contract.
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