The Marian Shved Celtic mystery continues

By David Walton

July 7, 2021

The mystery surrounding Marian Shved at Celtic is only growing after events over recent days.

Shved is back contracted with the Hoops again after his loan spell with KV Mechelen in Belgium came to an end. Therefore, all eyes have been on whether he could make an impact in pre-season.

A massive part of that process would’ve been showcasing his ability this week in Wales. With James Forrest sidelined and no obvious alternative available, that right-wing spot should be Shved’s by default.

Interestingly, however, there’s been absolutely no sign of the Ukrainian.

Celtic have posted several videos and images of the players in Wales. This has included a mix of first-team and youth products. Before today it was a bit of a red flag that Shved hasn’t been in any of them.

Today, however, he should’ve been smashing it against Sheffield Wednesday on the right flank for Celtic. Instead, Shved wasn’t selected in either of Ange Postecoglou’s two teams of XI.

Indeed, it was Owen Moffat who grabbed the plaudits of the supporters today. And on a day when Marian should feel as though it was his chance to shine.

Celtic didn’t have a natural senior right-winger available to them. With Forrest out and Karamoko Dembele surprisingly not featuring, it was Shved’s golden opportunity.

It’s unclear as to why he wasn’t given it. The latest on the player’s future is that Mechelen are waiting on a response to their interest [Daily Record].

It appeared that Postecoglou may have been waiting to take a look at Shved. After all, given his success in Belgium, if we could get the best out of him then it could mean we save on a new right-winger.

But the signs are that Shved isn’t even with the squad in Wales just now. Celtic haven’t provided a list of all players who have made the trip. But the former Karpaty Lviv man hasn’t been seen either in training or in our training game.

It’s something that could do with some clarification from the manager or the club. If Celtic are preparing to sell the player, you could understand him being left behind.

Yet nothing like that appears on the cards. He should’ve been the one we were all talking about after today’s win against Sheffield Wednesday. Instead, the mystery surrounding him has only grown.

In other news: ANGE Postecoglou provides important Celtic transfer update ahead of UCL tie