Celtic 'ramp up' pursuit of World Cup star as transfer window momentum sees Hoops reignite interest
Hoops have agreed signings three and four of the window and are looking for more
On a day where Celtic have agreed the signings of winger Haissem Hassan and midfielder Mika Baur, the Hoops have also ramped up their interest in Canada World Cup star Nico Sigur.
The defensive midfielder was a standout for the co-hosts during the summer and helped them reach the last 16 stage for the first time in their history. He is currently plying his trade in the Croatian top flight with Hadjuk Split. Celtic had expressed interest in the 22-year old shortly after the World Cup but had distanced themselves in recent weeks. However now that they’re on a roll in the transfer market, interest has surged again.
Hassan and Baur are set to become signings three and four of the summer window for the Celtic after the combined £17m additions of forwards Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh. Despite some early passivity in the transfer market, the Hoops appear to be putting their foot on the gas in now in terms of negotiations, ahead of their upcoming Champions League play-off against Austrian champions LASK Linz.
Celtic ‘ramp up’ interest in Sigur
According to the Daily Record: “Celtic are ready to ramp up their interest in Canadian World Cup star Nico Sigur. The Hoops recruitment team have identified the Hajduk Split star as one of their main options for the defensive midfield position. Chief Executive Michael Nicholson is expected to advance that interest and open talks with the Croatian club in the coming days.”
Sigur - who is of Croatian descent - joined the Hadjuk Split academy as a teenager and has since made his way into the first team. He has now made over 100 appearances for Bili and helped them to Croatian Cup glory in the 2022/23 season. The versatile number six can also play right back if needed - the same position as his international teammate and Celtic star Alistair Johnston.
Canada boss on Sigur
The Canucks boss Jesse Marsch was the mastermind behind their World Cup heroics. He was a big fan of Sigur’s throughout the tournament - but especially after their last 16 defeat to Morocco. Despite the result, the former Leeds United gaffer was full of praise for the midfielder. He said: “I thought (Nico) Sigur was outstanding, outstanding, maybe out best player on the day.
“The ground he covered, the solutions he had on the ball, the amount of ball winnings he had in the midfield, his ease at seeing plays and making plays, his ground he covered, duels he won, I thought he was outstanding. We have a big player for the future.”