Celtic still hold all the cards on Josip Juranovic despite contract report

By John McGinley

November 26, 2022

It’s easy to think Josip Juranovic has one foot out of the door considering some of the Celtic developments over the last few weeks, but the truth is that the club still hold all the cards on his future.

The Bhoys are thought to be on the verge of concluding a deal for CF Montreal defender Alistair Johnston, which has prompted significant speculation that could mean the end of Juranovic’s career in Glasgow.

That may well be the case, but it’s not like the Croatian international will be exiting in a cut-price move. His contract situation all but guarantees that despite reports of talks breaking down.

Stephen McGowan re-iterated in The Scottish Daily Mail today [26/11 print edition, back page] that recent discussions between Celtic and Juranovic’s representatives concluded without an agreement.

However, let’s not forget that Juranovic is only just over a year into the five-year deal he signed in the summer of 2021. That ostensibly keeps him here until 2026 and is why Celtic can command a significant fee if suitors come calling.

More than that, Celtic will only sell the player if we want to do that. This isn’t a case of the player having 18 months left on his contract and the Bhoys being pressured into a ‘sell or miss out’ situation.

Ange Postecoglou and the club executive team can time any sale to perfection. January may well be the prime period to do that, post-World Cup. But it’s important to note that this isn’t the case of a player trying to work their ticket out, or Celtic being dictated to.

It’s valid to want to pursue a more aggressive transfer strategy. Part of that will involve first-team players leaving but the success or failure of any new recruitment approach will be determined by the success of bought replacements.

Celtic are in full control here, even if contract talks didn’t reach an amicable conclusion.

In other news, Alistair Johnston can’t hide his delight with potential Celtic move.