Inside Celtic's deadline day as Strelec 'permission' revives striker mystery with Kvistgaarden 'persuaded' amid SOS call
Slovan Bratislava boss VladimIr Weiss has claimed that David Strelec DID have permission to join Celtic before a deadline day collapse.
Kyogo's departure has left the Hoops with Adam Idah left as the only recognised first-team striker after the deadline passed on Monday night with Johnny Kenny acting as back up - despite making just one appearance since returning from his successful loan spell at Shamrock Rovers. Daizen Maeda showed against Dundee that he could also lead the line as he netted a double during the 6-0 demolition job at Celtic Park.
A deal appears to have fallen apart due to a difference in valuation between the two clubs - with Strelec's dad insisting a move to the Scottish Premiership would have been "great" for the 23-year-old. However, Weiss insists the Slovan talisman will have to refocus on the Slovakian title race.
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Speaking about Strelec before this weekend's clash with MFK Ruzomberok, the boss said: "We gave him permission to transfer for a while, then it stopped and then it didn't happen. Now he will have to return with his head down to earth, knowing that he will definitely be here until the summer. I believe that his goals will help us win the title."
Mathias Kvistgaarden was also a name high on the agenda at Celtic Park going into the final hours of the window with Brondby revealing they knocked back deadline day bids from the Premiership leaders. Football director Benjamin Schmedes has now hinted that the Dane had to be convinced to stay with the club until the end of the campaign.
He told Viaplay: "I don't want to talk about specific offers, but it's no secret that we have some exciting players. Also for some bigger leagues and clubs. Of course, there was some work for us to persuade some people to stay, but I think everyone can be satisfied with being here, including the players, now that we have a big spring season ahead of us."
One man who did make it in the door is Jeffrey Schlupp. With Kieran Tierney not arriving from Arsenal until the summer, Greg Taylor will compete with the Crystal Palace loanee for a starting spot at left-back.
And an SOS to the Ghanaian international came late in the day on February 3. Asked about when he heard that a move to Glasgow's east end came about, Schlupp said ahead of the Scottish Cup clash with Raith Rovers: "About 2pm on deadline day actually. It sort of came around that there was a chance to come here on loan until the end of the season.
"Obviously, I was like 'yeah I am up for it'. I spoke to the gaffer again maybe around an hour after that and he said the deal was on if I fancied it. It was an easy decision for me and I headed straight down to London to do the medical.
"Then the next morning headed straight up to Glasgow. Busy couple of days, but that is when I found out. It was an easy sell to me and as soon as I found out I was linked to the club I was really excited and it was an easy decision in the end."