Aalborg 'in constant contact' with Oliver Abildgaard but Celtic exit still in balance

By John McGinley

January 31, 2023

Aalborg director Thomas Bælum has admitted there’s interest in Celtic midfielder Oliver Abildgaard but refused to be drawn on whether his move to Denmark is a goer.

Abildgaard joined the Bhoys on a one-year deal during the summer transfer window but has yet to make a start under Ange Postecoglou and has featured from the bench just nine times.

Speaking to Danish outlet Nordjyske, Bælum said: “We have been in constant dialogue with Oliver, and he is a player we know quite well. I can only say that we are happy with the squad we have at the moment, but should an extraordinary opportunity arise, we are ready.”

The outlet reports that Abildgaard’s move to Aalborg is far from guaranteed with his contract situation across Celtic and Rubin Kazan tricky for the club to negotiate.

However, Anthony Joseph of Sky Sports has also reported that Celtic are willing to cut his one-year deal short, which could simplify the process and allow the midfielder to exit.

Postecoglou has brought Tomoki Iwata to the club this month, further pushing Abildgaard to the fringes of the squad.

He hasn’t featured since all the way back in November and hasn’t even appeared in a match squad since the derby against Rangers at Ibrox.

It’s almost guaranteed, at this point, he won’t be at Celtic for much longer – whether he leaves in this transfer window or exits at the end of his contract this summer.

For whatever reason, it just hasn’t worked out for him at the Bhoys and it seems the manager is moving on to other options.

In other news, Deals done: Ange Postecoglou confirms no more January Celtic signings.