Man Utd right-back Saidy Janko holds Celtic talks

CELTIC have held talks with the Manchester United reserve right-back Saidy Janko as they seek to strengthen their defensive options for the new season.
Celtic target: Swiss youngster Saidy Janko. Picture: ManUtd.comCeltic target: Swiss youngster Saidy Janko. Picture: ManUtd.com
Celtic target: Swiss youngster Saidy Janko. Picture: ManUtd.com

The Parkhead side, who signed centre-back Dedryck Boyata from Manchester City for £1.5 million earlier this month, invited Swiss teenager Janko to Glasgow this week.

The 19-year-old was a David Moyes signing for United from FC Zurich in 2013 but he has played only one half of competitive football for the Old Trafford side. That came in the disastrous 4-0 defeat by MK Dons in the League Cup last August. Janko was substituted at half-time.

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He played under former Celtic manager Neil Lennon in the second half of last season during a loan spell with Bolton Wanderers in the Championship.

Celtic target: Swiss youngster Saidy Janko. Picture: ManUtd.comCeltic target: Swiss youngster Saidy Janko. Picture: ManUtd.com
Celtic target: Swiss youngster Saidy Janko. Picture: ManUtd.com

Celtic would appear to be well served at right-back, with Adam Matthews, Mikael Lustig and Darnell Fisher all vying for the position. However, Lustig missed most of last season through injury and manager Ronny Deila will view Janko’s versatility as an asset. The Swiss under-19 international can also play on the right side of midfield and central defence.

Meanwhile, Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor believes he can replicate his flying start to last season despite being delayed by injury.

The 22-year-old broke his ankle in training in April and will not join in with his team-mates again for a few more weeks.

But McGregor feels his spell on the sidelines has given him fresh impetus. McGregor told Celtic TV: “I’ve been doing a bit in the gym and hopefully I should be out running next week. It’s coming along well and hopefully I’ll be back soon.

“It was just a freak accident in training, you can’t legislate for that.”

McGregor netted on his Celtic debut against KR Reykjavik last July and also on his league debut against St Johnstone.