AJETI JETS IN
EXPECTS NEW BHOY TO PROVIDE SWISS BLISS
ALBIAN AJETI will finalise a £5million move to Celtic today after landing in Glasgow last night to seal a four-year deal. The Swiss striker jetted into the city aboard a private jet to put the finishing touches on his bumper switch from West Ham. Ajeti was put through medical
FROM BACK PAGE checks and shown around the club’s facilities after touching down before heading to a hotel in the centre of town.
The 23-year-old attacker is poised to sign a contract with an agreement reached amongst all parties and will join Odsonne Edouard, Patryk Klimala and Leigh Griffiths in the attacking department at Parkhead.
Vakoun Issouf Bayo’s departure from Celtic was confirmed yesterday after the Ivorian frontman was allowed to move to France and sign a loan deal with Ligue 2 Toulouse.
While Ajeti had a difficult season under David Moyes in the Premier League last term, failing to score in 12 appearances, his prolific spell with Basel in his homeland suggests that he can make a huge impact in the Scottish Premiership.
Ajeti scored 29 times in 58 appearances for the Swiss club before an £8m move to London’s East End in August 2019.
While West Ham were stuffy and defensive as they avoided relegation last season, he will get a lot more opportunities in Glasgow, especially if he can forge a partnership with silky Frenchman Edouard.
Meanwhile, former SFA chief Gordon Smith insists clubs should have to forfeit games if players continue to ignore coronavirus restrictions.
Aberdeen were forced to postpone their league meeting with St Johnstone after two players tested positive for Covid-19 and it later emerged that a group of eight had gone out for a meal in a city centre restaurant.
They didn’t face Hamilton last night at Pittodrie, while the weekend meeting with Celtic in Glasgow has also been postponed.
Neil Lennon’s men were not in action in midweek either – they were set to face St Mirren in Paisley – after defender Boli
Bolingoli broke travel restrictions by flying to Spain and not quarantining on his return to Scotland.
The left-back failed to inform his club about the trip, and came off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park days later.
That led to a “yellow card” warning from the Scottish government, and Smith believes harsh penalties need to be put in place for any future breaches.
Speaking to the BBC he said: “These players have put the Scottish game in jeopardy.
“I think it is [heading for another lockdown] unless they realise the problems they are bringing.
“But what the SPFL should be saying to the clubs now is, in future if games have to be postponed because of players’ actions in relation to Covid-19, the points should be given to the opposition.”
UEFA last night booted FC Drita from the Champions League after a second player tested positive from Covid-19 sending Linfield from Northern Ireland into the first qualifying round.
The Kosovan side were forced to postpone their preliminary round clash with Linfield in Nyon on Tuesday night.
Now European football’s governing body have awarded the tie to David Healy’s men in a move that will send a chill down the spine of Scotland’s Champions League representatives after a week of coronavirus controversy.