Celtic winger Marian Shved clearly wants out of the club after his comments back in his homeland of Ukraine.
Indeed, the former Karpaty Lviv winger stated that he was given an opportunity with loan club Mechelen that he was never given at Celtic. He told Tribuna that he wants to stay in Belgium, where he feels trusted.
Unsurprisingly, that’s led to many Celtic fans happy to show him where the door is. Go on social media and you won’t find many Hoops supporters crying into their tea every night at the prospect of the Ukrainian departing.
No wonder either. Since signing back in January 2019 under Brendan Rodgers, Shved has onky made three appearances. He’s bagged one goal for the club, with his last outing coming back in February 2020 against Clyde.
His move to Mechelen has reinvigorated him. After a worrying start in which his manager had seen enough of him, Shved put a strong run of form together to end the season with 24 appearances and eight direct goal contributions [Transfermarkt].
No need for Celtic and Marian Shved to part ways just yet
It’s important when analysing this particular situation that you focus on exactly what was said. The Ukrainian youngster stated he wants to stay in Belgium because he can feel the confidence of the coach in him. What that tells you is that Shved simply wants some trust.
He wants to be playing at a football club that’s going to give him an opportunity to impress. Say what you will, but he was never given anywhere near the level of opportunities he should’ve had in his first 18 months at Celtic Park. So much so that it’s no wonder he’s potentially dreading the thought of coming back.
It’s now time for Celtic to get round the table with him and outline the state of play. Given the impressive campaign Shved has just managed, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be given a chance. No reason he shouldn’t be put in front of the new manager and be given the opportunity to show his stuff.
Celtic don’t have any cover whatsoever for James Forrest on the right flank. If he has a long-term injury like he did last season, goodness knows who we’ll turn to. Shved should see that as a huge opportunity to step in.
No, nothing’s guaranteed at Celtic. He can’t come back and demand that he plays regularly. He has to prove in pre-season what he’s all about. But he has to show confidence in his own ability that he can take that opportunity. There’s no point committing too early to Mechelen, Shved should be itching to come back and strut his stuff. A potential move back to Belgium will likely still be there if Ange Postecoglou doesn’t like the look of him.
But there is no reason to cut ties with Shved just yet. Let’s not prematurely end a promising 23-year-old’s time here when he’s clearly got something to show. It’s time for Celtic to hold immediate talks with the player and promise him his opportunity. If that isn’t enough for Shved, then his head isn’t in the right place.
In other news, Celtic can’t allow this potential Postecoglou catch to halt the club moving forward.
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