Hajduk Split manager Gonzalez Garcia has confirmed that Celtic target Niko Sigur has featured for the club for the final time. The Canadian international has been linked with a switch to the Hoops since before the World Cup.
They face competition from Belgian outfit Genk, who submitted a £3.5million bid for the 22-year-old this week, and Toulouse, who reportedly tabled a £2.5m offer amid claims the player is eager to join Celtic.
Emotional dressing room scenes
Sigur played his part in helping the Croatian club to an extra-time victory over Rakow Czestochowa in the Conference League play-off this week. Amid jubilant scenes, Garcia opened up on a private moment between the pair as he confirmed the player is likely to depart shortly, alongside Rokas Pukstas, who is poised to complete a move to Middlesbrough.
He said: "We cried together in the dressing room with Niko Sigur. This is the best way for someone to leave. He was very emotional, along with Rokas Pukstas, because they are both probably leaving."
"Niko gave an inspirational talk to his team-mates before the start of extra time too. I'm proud of how he and Rokas fought for the team. This team has heart, they live under constant high pressure, they are young guys and they deserve a lot of credit. Sigur and Pukstas showed the spirit of our dressing room."
Celtic's Champions League blow
Celtic are still reeling from their embarrassing Champions League exit at the hands of LASK, who beat them on aggregate despite the Hoops having a four-goal advantage heading into the second leg.
It remains to be seen if the absence of Champions League football will impact their transfer plans in the final days of the summer window.
Speaking after the final whistle, manager Martin O'Neill said: "We should have the game out of sight. We missed some glorious chances and we gave them a lifeline just before half-time and then just after half-time again."
"So it gave them momentum and they carried that momentum for some time. I thought we were going to see it through. We didn't do it at the end and that's my responsibility. It’s the most disappointing night I’ve had in a long, long time."
