With Manchester City winger Jack Grealish reportedly on his was out of the club, Rangers icon Ally McCoist reluctantly thinks he’s a good fit for Celtic - but thinks the finances wouldn’t add up.
The former Aston Villa and Everton man is looking for a new club, five years on from his £100m transfer from Villa Park to the Etihad Stadium. Celtic have already spent upwards of £30m this window and while an ambitious bid for the 30-year old has been loosely spoke of, McCoist believes it’d be a bridge too far in terms of finances.
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That being said, the club haven’t been afraid to splash the cash so far this season. Strikers Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh, winger Haissem Hassan and midfielder Mika Baur make up the new arrivals thus far. Several more are to be expected before the window closes on September 3, especially if the Hoops secure Champions League qualification tonight against Austrian side LASK Linz.
Rangers icon says it would break his heart if Grealish signed for Celtic.placeholder image
Rangers icon says it would break his heart if Grealish signed for Celtic. | Getty Images
McCoist ‘hoping’ Grealish to Celtic is pie in the sky
The pundit told talkSPORT it would break his heart if the England international came to the green half of Glasgow, but insists it’s unlikely. When asked of the prospect of Grealish signing for Celtic, McCoist responded: “Jack Grealish to Celtic?
“The finances would get in the way. I would definitely think so. I mean, one thing I would say, he’s the type of player they would love him, man. They would absolutely love him. It would break my heart because Jack is infectious; the home crowd would take to him. He would be unbelievable up there, but I just think the finances would dictate it’s not possible - I’m hoping the finances would dictate it’s not possible.”
Celtic have a three-goal advantage ahead of their trip to Austria and if they can hold on, or even add to their lead they’ll secure Champions League qualification and the minimum £40m cash influx that comes with it. Even still, given Grealish’s mammoth English Premier League wages, a move north of the border remains a tall order.
Celtic boss says they won't be parking the bus in Austria.placeholder image
Celtic boss says they won't be parking the bus in Austria. | Getty Images
O’Neill on LASK Linz second leg
Speaking ahead of the second leg, manager Martin O’Neill claims they won’t be shutting up shop in Austria. He said: “We just can't sit in there, and that's not our intention at all. I feel as if we're capable of scoring a goal in the game and that's at least grounds for optimism. It'll be a tough old night for us, but we're capable. There are players who have had experiences of last season, and some of those who have experiences of the season before that, which was really good, so it's really a mixed bag.
"Obviously we're going to try and get through if we can. I think anybody who witnessed the game last week would realise it's a tough old game for us. But we're capable, absolutely. We want to try and get through. We'll throw absolutely everything at it in which to do so. I don't think that we want to be sitting in, and I think that we can play. I think we'll get opportunities.”