CELTIC GET VUSKOVIC WARNING

CELTIC are wary of bring drawn into a bidding war for £5million target Mario Vuskovic.

New boss Ange Postecoglou has identified the 19-year-old Croatian defender as part of his summer revamp, as CQN reported yesterday.

However, the player’s club, Hadjuk Split, are preparing to hold out for an auction for the highly-rated centre-back.

Vuskovic has been monitored elsewhere with Italian outfit Torino also linked with the classy back-four operator. The Parkhead side, though, have no time to waste in a summer of change as they look to get back on track after last season’s disappointing term, their first trophyless season in 11 years.

Postecoglou’s aim is to swiftly put together a squad in time for the Champions League qualifiers with the first tie against FC Midtjylland due on July 20.

Sources in Split insist the club are aware of the value of their hottest property and believe he will generate a lot of interest with other teams assembling their squads for the new season, according to a report in the Daily Record.

Interest in Vuskovic is likely to push up the original asking price of £5million and, with over two months remaining before the close of the transfer window, Hajduk are in no rush to sell.

Their stance may force Postecoglou to look elsewhere.