Player desperate for opportunity to show he’s right to reject Celtic – If not, Bhoys option may return

Towards the end of August, Spanish reports linked Celtic with a move for Ivan Šaponjić. On the fringes at Atletico Madrid, it was made clear the club wouldn’t look badly on his exit in this window, after he arrived from Benfica during the summer 2019 transfer market.

Diego Simeone wasn’t counting on the player, and it was explained a proposal from Celtic would be considered.

A couple of weeks ago, it was reported in Spain that Šaponjić had ‘parked’ interest from Celtic and Crystal Palace, determined to give himself every chance of a future with Atletico.

That looked optimistic, but it was insisted that after training all summer, the striker wanted one last chance to impress Simeone, even if it was a short time on the pitch. Given the manager gave him just 64 minutes over the whole of last season, it was a long shot.

Now, the opportunity may arrive. Atletico have sent Alvaro Morata off to Juventus and are in the process of signing Luis Suarez. Marca say Šaponjić doesn’t give up the dream, and hopes for a chance against Granada on Sunday, with the hope Suarez isn’t available by then.

Such an opportunity would show Šaponjić he was right to reject Celtic and offers from Italy, say Marca. Should that not happen, then he’ll surely have to take the message, and a move to the Bhoys or elsewhere will look more attractive.