Report: Celtic explore Oliver Abildgaard exit option

By John McGinley

December 27, 2022

Celtic are looking to terminate Oliver Abildgaard’s contract at the club less than six months after arriving in Glasgow.

The Danish international’s deal at Rubin Kazan had been suspended as part of a FIFA ruling, meaning the Bhoys were able sign him up for a year towards the end of the summer transfer window.

However, Russian outlet RB Sport reports that Celtic are now exploring their options on ending that agreement early in January so Abildgaard can pursue other options.

It’s said that the 26-year-old’s return to Rubin Kazan is not on the table. He is instead likely to try and sign for another club outside of Russia if his exit from the Bhoys goes through.

Abilgaard has barely featured for Celtic since joining the club. He’s made nine competitive appearances in total but all of them have come from the bench and none of them were memorable.

He hasn’t featured in a match squad since before the winter break with Ange Postecoglou seemingly happy to move on without him now that Callum McGregor has returned from injury.

Celtic are widely reported to have agreed to a transfer for Tomoki Iwata of Yokohama F.Marinos, who Postecoglou knows well and plays in Abilgaard’s position.

The Dane’s lack of progress at the Bhoys is disappointing but it’s refreshing to see Celtic show a ruthless edge on the transfer front and end a relationship swiftly if it’s not working out.

Postecoglou has gone on the record multiple times saying he only wants players at the club who are all willing to pull in the same direction and won’t stand in anyone’s way if they want to leave.

In other news, “That impacts on me a lot”; James Forrest hails Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic team talks.