Wolves star told he 'won’t be part of the team' in honest Molineux verdict amid Celtic transfer rumours
Celtic are said to be in the mix for a Wolves player this summer transfer window.
Wolves boss Cesar Peixoto has made it clear a Celtic transfer target won’t be part of his plans going forward.
The Molineux side have been relegated to the English Championship and are seeking an immediate return to the Premier League by this season’s end. This is the final week for club’s to do transfer deals, with the English window shutting on Tuesday, and Scotland’s deadline is on Thursday. Celtic could face a need to get transfers sorted by Wednesday night as the deadline for their Europa League squad must be submitted by 11pm that day.
Sam Johnstone is one possible target. The capped by England goalkeeper is now at Wolves but has extensive experience from sides like Manchester United, Aston Villa, West Brom and Crystal Palace. He has featured 27 times for Wolves but Peixoto has now confirmed the 33-year-old will not be part of his plans going forward. Celtic manager Martin O’Neill needs a goalkeeper with Viljami Sinisalo and Ross Doohan the only senior stoppers on his books.
What is the status of Celtic transfer target at Wolves?
Peixoto said: "I have the same conversations and the same honesty with Sam I have with all the players. Before they are a player, they are a man, with families and kids. We have to respect the person. "I have to talk with them honestly and tell them what is my decision or that of the club to build a strong team.
“Sometimes you have to take difficult decisions in order to build a better team or good group. All the time I am very clear, honest and direct with the players and all the people in the club. He (Johnstone) is still training with the team but won’t be part of the team for the future."
Celtic won 2-1 against Falkirk on Saturday in their latest Premiership clash after a humbling Champions League exit vs LASK last week. O’Neill said: "Delighted to win the game. The exertions and disappointment of Tuesday night, have to overcome that and travel back. The physical and psychological aspects of it all were big concerns today.
Martin O’Neill on Celtic 2-1 Falkirk
“Falkirk caused us umpteen problems in the game here last season. We created a lot of really good chances, but at 2-0 it's still on a knife edge. They get the goal and then the las5 15 minutes become a worrying time when perhaps it shouldn't have been.
"We go again on Wednesday and we'll see how the players are. A lot of the players that played on Tuesday started to flag a little bit and it's early season - the players are still getting up to speed.”
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