Celtic have been credited with an interest in Vaclav Hladky.
St Mirren signed the keeper in the summer of 2019 with his last act for the Buddies being to save their top flight status with an outstanding display in the Play Off victory over Dundee United which went to a penalty shoot out.
Celtic were linked with Hladky in the summer of 2020 which saw Fraser Forster and Craig Gordon move out with Vasilas Barkas being signed from AEK Athens for £4m.
As a free agent the Czech born keeper moved to Salford City where he impressed enough to earn a move to Ipswich when Kieran McKenna took over as manager.
It has been virtually non-stop success ever since with Ipswich cantering to promotion from League One last season and sitting in second place in the Championship, ten points clear of Leeds United in third spot.
With his two year contract expiring at the end of the season Hladky and his agent are in a fantastic bargaining position with a vastly improved deal likely from Ipswich or a lucrative move elsewhere on the back of two impressive seasons.
Age appears the only issue, he turned 33 in November but there is nothing to suggest that the former St Mirren keeper can’t perform for two or three seasons at a high level.
Isport reports:
It looks like a fairy tale, after all, Ipswich Town with Vaclav Hladky in goal is on a great way to the Premier League. The Championship rookie holds second place after 22 rounds, which means direct promotion among the elite, and Hladký – without exaggeration – shines. However, his contract with the club expires in June 2024, and the continuation of the 33-year-old goalkeeper has yet to be resolved. In addition, everything can be complicated by the fact that, according to information from iSport and sources from Scotland, the famous Celtic have shown interest in him again.
After covering his time at Ipswich they add:
From January, Hladky can sign a new contract valid from July 1, 2024 with impunity because his current one ends at the end of June.
Which, of course, registers the competition, including brands from Glasgow, although this time, according to editorial information and sources from Scotland, only Celtic is in the game.
The situation is also monitored by units from the elite PL, who can imagine Hladky as a number two.
“We are registering inquiries, which is understandable given Vaclav’s performances, the position of Ipswich and the expiring contract. However, the priority is to agree on an extension and advance to the Premier League,” explains the player’s agent Martin Stepanovsky.
Joe Hart’s recent erratic form has become an issue recently at Celtic. He pulled off an outstanding stoppage time save at St Johnstone to secure a victory but has looked very vulnerable from set-pieces, last week at home to Hearts there were real concerns among supporters as he elected to start punching at crosses.
With his deal expiring at the end of this season a decision has to be made over Hart’s future without sentiment being involved.
Two strong seasons under Ange Postecoglou made a massive contribution to Celtic’s success but time can catch up quickly on goalkeepers with Hart turning 37 in April.
CLICK HERE for Hladky Transfermarkt profilel.
CLICK HERE for latest on interest in Matt O’Riley.
