​However, there was no word from the player or his agent as Schlager chose to keep his options open until his contract ran out in the summer. Schlager, who featured in all of Austria’s World Cup matches, spent last season with RB Leipzig but is now a free agent after his deal with the Bundesliga club expired last month. To date, he has not been linked with any interested clubs despite being unattached, which could present an opportunity for Martin O’Neill to re-enter negotiations. Approaching his 29th birthday, Schlager remains in the prime of his career and brings a wealth of experience at both club and international levels. He strikes me as a player Celtic should consider signing, making it worthwhile to reopen talks in an effort to persuade him to join the Scottish champions. It could very well be a case of second-time luck.
The Austrian is a classic box-to-box midfielder, boasting an excellent range of passing while also satisfying defensive duties. He is widely described as highly press-resistant, a quality that suits the more aggressive approach often seen in Scottish football. Schlager also possesses boundless energy, enabling him to switch deftly between defense and attack—a trait that has been conspicuously absent from Celtic’s lineup for some time. The former RB Salzburg and VfL Wolfsburg man has 55 caps for his country and would likely become one of the club’s top earners if he signed, but his acquisition would be a shrewd long-term investment.
Players of Schlager’s calibre are typically beyond Celtic’s usual spending range, so this presents a rare chance to demonstrate real ambition and secure a proven, top-tier operator who could immediately enhance Celtic’s starting XI. With Arne Engels expected to leave Celtic this summer following a record-breaking transfer fee, Schlager could be the ideal replacement, and his higher wage demands could be justified by the fact that no transfer fee would be involved.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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