Middlesbrough make move for reported Celtic target

Middlesbrough in talks with Manchester United for reported Celtic target Radek Vitek…

The big goalkeeper was said to be courting interest from Celtic and others, as he looks to sort his next career move out, with Manchester United chances appearing slim under Michael Carrick as it stands. That has alerted the Hoops and others to the potential availability of the Czech Republic man.

Martin O’Neill confirmed a couple of weeks back now that he is indeed looking at bringing another ‘keeper into the football club, as we are short in that department up at Lennoxtown.

Kasper Schmeichel’s unfortunate shoulder injury meant that the 39-year-old had to retire earlier than planned, whilst only Viljami Sinisalo and Ross Doohan remain to fight for that number one jersey.

Sinisalo did step up to the plate and put in some assured and consistent performances last year once Schmeichel was removed from the side through no fault of his own.

The Finnish international also put in a great display at Ibrox under the most pressurised of circumstances too, with various injuries and issues affecting our squad at the time.

Meanwhile, Teeside Live are reporting that the 22-year-old – who spent last year on loan at Bristol City in the English Championship – is the subject of much interest from many clubs at the minute, and that Middlesbrough haven’t went beyond the point of opening talks with the Old Trafford side.

Vitek made 41 appearances for the Robins last term and he managed to bag a whole host of awards in May after his performances too. The Manchester United youth product nabbed the Supporter-voted Player and Young Player of the Year accolades, as well as being voted Players’ Player by his team-mates in a really positive end to the campaign.

Speaking to BBC Sport on his future prospects earlier in the close season, he revealed: “I’m ready to go somewhere again and hopefully be number one. I’m ready for both [permanent or loan], to be fair. It depends on what the club wants and also on the options.

“There has been a few interests on the table. We’re hoping to choose the best one and hopefully it will happen soon. I want to play every week and that’s the goal for next season.”

Paul Gillespie

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