Lech Poznan boss expects Celtic-linked Robert Gumny to play this weekend

By David Walton

August 15, 2019

Lech Poznan right-back Robert Gumny is expected to play in his side’s clash at Arka Gdynia on Saturday.

The Polish outfit have a crucial clash in the Ekstraklasa this weekend. Gumny, meanwhile, has been linked with a move away to Celtic this week (Daily Mail, 13/08. back page).

So far, there’s been no further movement on it. With Celtic’s elimination from the Champions League, meanwhile, you have to wonder if this deal will be a goer at all.

Lech Poznan’s Robert Gumny is expected to play this weekend (Pawel Jaskolka /PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)

And in comments picked up in Polish outlet Glos Wielkopolski, Poznan’s manager Dariusz Zuraw has touched on the player’s immediate future.

“From the very beginning of the transfer window, I knew that Robert was in a position where he could leave us immediately, later, or stay with us.

“We have prepared for various variants and solutions if Robert were to leave us. As far as I know, he will be with us for the next match against Arka. I’m not looking far into the future.

“Until I have specific information that Robert will not be with us, I take everyone into account (for selection).”

Nothing appears imminent on Lech Poznan right-back

So it looks as if no official offer from Celtic has been put in for Gumny. But, at the same time, Zuraw’s comments make it seem as though his departure from the club is inevitable.

It actually slaps of similar comments that Neil Lennon was making during the Kieran Tierney saga. The Northern Irishman was always talking about Tierney still being a Celtic player as far as he was aware. However, it was clear there were conversations going on above his head. It wouldn’t surprise if it was the same with Gumny.

Gumny is a move fans can get behind (Pawel Jaskolka /PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)

The elephant in the room is now our lack of Champions League football. But Celtic would still remain a step-up for the youngster. We have Europa League football on the agenda, which is more than can be said for Poznan.

The Ekstraklasa outfit finished with a disappointing eighth-place last season. Gumny would miss nearly the full first-half of it after having knee surgery too.

There have been no figures about how much he would actually cost the Hoops. You can bet on our budget decreasing significantly after our failure to make the Champions League once again.

Lennon needs a hand from the board (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

With his contract being up in two years’ time, there’s no immediate rush for Poznan to sell low. They’ll perhaps want to sell him now to avoid getting a cut-price deal next summer. But even then, the ball is in their court when it comes to negotiations.

Celtic could do with finding some excitement for their own supporters. Signing Gumny would, at the very least, be a step in the right direction.