BHOYS SET TO CASH IN ON ERIK

Copenhagen line up the out-of-favour Celtic defender for £1.5million transfer

ERIK SVIATCHENKO is back on the £1.5million transfer radar of Copenhagen.

The Danish champs have raked in £4million from the sale of superkid Benjamin Verbic to Dynamo Kiev and now have substantial funds available to make a fresh move for the Hoops’ out-of-favour centre-back.

Sviatchenko is set to leave Celtic Park next month, after the signing of German Marvin Compper and the emergence of Norwegian kid Kristoffer Ajer pushed him further down the defensive pecking order.

The 26-year-old Dane is set to have an option of returning to his homeland.

Copenhagen boss Stale Solbakken wanted Sviatchenko at the beginning of the season.

But despite coming close to an agreement, no deal materialised before the close of the transfer window, with failure to reach the group stages of the Champions League hitting transfer funds.

But the manager has kept tabs on the situation and Celtic’s willingness to sell plus the financial situation improving at the club means the deal is likely to be revived.

The Danes have made it through to the group stage of the Europa League and face a last-32 tie against Atletico Madrid.

In addition, they have landed a hefty windfall from the sale of star

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playmaker Verbic.

Copenhagen are sixth in the league and Solbakken is searching for a leader to boost the squad for the resumption of the campaign in February.

Sviatchenko hasn’t played for Celtic since being forced off in the Champions League qualifier against Rosenborg in August and is now fifth choice behind Dedryck Boyata, Jozo Simunovic, Ajer and Compper.

Manager Brendan Rodgers won’t stand in the way of the defender who signed for Ronny Deila two years ago from Midtjylland.

Sviatchenko is set to have other options during the window but a door to his homeland remains open.

Celtic travel to Dundee for today’s lunchtime clash and Rodgers had his players in on Christmas Day.

The manager said: “If you want success and to be consistent then you must work.

“Thankfully we have a group of players who have bought into that.

“They have the hunger. We never let them have a lazy day, the mentality is ingrained in them.

“They have to fight, work and improve.

“You could easily let them go home but you have to earn your money. There is a price to pay.

“So we will train at 5.30pm on Christmas Day then we’ll drive up to Dundee and stay in a hotel.

“It’s a privileged life but you have

irishsport@trinitymirror.com