Goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky, reported to be one of the players Neil Lennon was tracking for Celtic this summer, has signed for English League Two side Salford City.
The ambitious outfit, who have an association with high-profile former Manchester United stars such as Gary Neville, David Beckham and Paul Scholes, announced his arrival on their website earlier today.
Hladky said of his move: “I’m pretty excited, it’s a new side for me and I’m looking forward to it.
“I came 18 months ago to St. Mirren and now after 18 months I can say it was a good stay for me. The Scottish league is very good, a good level for me and I feel after these 18 months I’m comfortable to go to another step and I’m looking forward to coming to Salford.
“English football has always been my big dream so my expectation is huge, so is Salford’s, this is a good start for me and I hope we will be successful together.”
Former Celtic shot-stopper Pat Bonner touted Hladky as a potential signing for the Bhoys earlier this year.
The Glasgow Times then reported as recently as July that Hladky had been identified as a target on Lennon’s transfer shortlist, with the club eventually committing to a big-money move for Greek international Vasilis Barkas.
However, Hladky, available on a free, would have been an excellent budget back-up option to improve on Conor Hazard and compete with Scott Bain in support of Barkas.
Hazard has yet to make a competitive appearance for the club and there would be question marks about his ability to compete should we become unlucky with injuries.
The former St Mirren man looks to be prioritising regular week-to-week football and a future in English football, so fair play to him.
It was unlikely he was ever going to be a number one choice at Celtic Park.
Will we see a third goalkeeper arrive at the club?
In other news, Michael Stewart has urged Celtic not to miss out on signing David Turnbull.
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