Celtic have been sent another indication that signing Gvidas Gineitis from Torino will be far from straightforward.
The Lithuania international has been linked with a move to the Hoops throughout the summer, with Celtic reportedly reopening discussions over the 22-year-old as Martin O’Neill looks to strengthen his midfield.
Gineitis’ absence from Torino’s recent pre-season clash with Vado fuelled speculation over his future, but Saturday night offered a very different signal.
The midfielder started Torino’s competitive opener against Carrarese in the Coppa Italia and completed the full 90 minutes as Ignazio Abate’s side secured a 1-0 victory.
Gineitis lined up alongside Kian Fitz-Jim in midfield and remained on the pitch despite Torino making all five substitutions around him.
His performance also demonstrated why Celtic have been keeping tabs on him.
According to FotMob, Gineitis completed 40 of his 46 passes for an 87 per cent accuracy rate, created two chances and made seven passes into the final third.
The 6ft 3in midfielder also made five tackles, was not dribbled past and won seven of his nine duels, including both of his aerial contests.
Celtic’s interest has taken on greater significance following Arne Engels’ £22million move to West Ham, which has removed a major midfield option from O’Neill’s squad ahead of the Champions League play-off against LASK.
Reports have suggested Torino want more than £8m for Gineitis, while RB Salzburg have also made an attempt to sign the Lithuanian international.
Engels’ departure certainly gives Celtic greater financial room to manoeuvre should O’Neill decide Gineitis is the midfielder he wants.
However, playing every minute of Torino’s first competitive fixture hardly suggests a departure is imminent.
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1 Comment
We have signed the four players rogers needed when the board sold kyogo, idah khun and maybe as far as o’riley.
Had he been backed last summer with the four he needed we would have qualified for the cl.
Now.martin had the 4 we were short but now he needs another.left back,a keeper, 2 midfielders and probably a centre half. Been impressed with the level of player we’ve signed but we are still short. Massively short.
Unless we want to go all season hoping sinasalo,kt or any of our midfielders dont get injured. If anything happens to the 33 year old calmac we are left with baur, 32 year old ox, mccowan🤦♂️ nygren and a couple of laddies. Short changed again as we speak. Gambling the champions league qualifier yet again and people wonder why we have hardly made it through the qualifiers