CELTIC are confident of wrapping up the signing of Manchester United defender Saidy Janko by the start of next week
Talks have taken place between the 19-year-old Swiss and the club and a deal is expected to be struck over the next few days.
Janko, a right-back who can play in the centre of defence, spent the end of last season on loan at Bolton with Neil Lennon as his manager.
He was brought from FC Zurich to Old Trafford by David Moyes for £700,000 two years ago, but his only senior appearance came last August in the sensational 4-0 League Cup defeat by MK Dons.
Janko played 10 times for Bolton and would become Celtic’s second signing of the summer, following the purchase of fellow- defender Dedryck Boyata from Manchester City.
And Celtic firs team coach John Kennedy has tipped Boyata to become a star with the Hoops and fill the void left by Jason Denayer, who returned to City after a fabulous season in Scotland where he was named Young Player of the Year.
Kennedy said: “There are similarities because Dedryck is aggressive, quick, strong and he’s good on the ball.
“It’s everything we wanted in a centre-back. He ticked most of the boxes. We found out he was available and so the manager did a bit of work speaking to City and the player.
“He’s ambitious as well. He knows he need to get playing football and he realises that. He’s spent a bit of time watching football instead of playing and I think that’s the reason he’s come here because he knows it gives him a very good opportunity to play at a very good level.
“He’s probably not played as many games in the last couple of years as you would expect from someone of his age and ability. However, he was a top young player at Manchester City.
“He had a big name when he went in there and probably just struggled to become a regular. With the standard of player they have, it’s very difficult to break into that side.
“I think we are getting a top player at a very good price. Hopefully, coming here and playing every week in our stadium in front of our fans, with maybe Champions League football, can develop him. We saw it with Jason, who came in and did so well at 19 years of age. We had to replace that and I think we have.”
Kennedy is also fan of Boyata’s personality, which he believes will help settle into the club. The 24-year-old should play his first game against Den Bosch at St Mirren Park on Wednesday.
The Celtic coach said: “I think he’s confident which is good, we want players with a bit of character, a bit of personality, but he’s a very good professional.
“I know people who have worked with him and players who have played beside him and they think very, very highly of him.
“From what I’ve seen, and in the short time I’ve spoken to him, he’s the type of character we want at the club and he’ll hopefully be a good bit of business.”
