The mere suggestion that Dick Advocaat was being considered for vacant manager’s job for what would be the second club he’d have managed in Glasgow was enough to lure him out of his two week retirement and back to the Sunderland hot seat. That and a £50M war chest – wee Dick just loves splashing the cash.
Celtic could be one of the first clubs Advocate calls as he steps up his interest in fellow Dutchman Virgil Van Dijk. Celtic’s imposing and impressive central defender has attracted interest from the likes of Southampton – who have enjoyed their recent transfer dealings with Celtic – Everton and Arsenal. Sunderland however could be first in with a bid although it is debatable whether the Stadium of Light will be the player’s preference.
Celtic are intent on holding onto the player who has two years remaining in his contract until the Champions League qualifiers are over. This happens before the transfer window closes and a transfer south for Van Dijk could mirror the move made by Fraser Forster last summer after Celtic lost to Legia Warsaw.
Advocaat may also offer former Hibs striker Steven Fletcher to the Scottish Champions as he attempts to improve a squad which avoided relegation narrowly. Fletcher famously failed to arrive at Celtic in what has become known as the Willo Flood window in Gordon’s Strachan’s final season as Celtic manager and the club eventually finished runners up in the league. Many Celtic supporters will reckon that Fletcher’s time has past as far a move to Parkhead is concerned.
Celtic’s apparent ongoing interest in the 24 year old Nigerian international defender Juwon Oshaniwa is back in the news today while the 4IAR champions have also been credited with an interest in Olympique Lyonnais and Morocco U23 international right back Fahd Moufi.
