Speaking on BBC Scotland Sportsound, St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin has given an update on the future of Vaclav Hladky, the goalkeeper who has been linked with a move to Rangers.
The Scottish Sun reported last month that the 29-year-old stopper’s strong form throughout the season had alerted both Steven Gerrard and Neil Lennon.
Hladky had kept an impressive ten clean sheets in 30 league appearances prior to the suspension of football, yet, like many other Buddies players, will soon be out of contract.
Goodwin says the Paisley side want him to sign an extension but he acknowledged there’s plenty of interest from elsewhere.
“We’ll do all we can to hold on to him,” he told BBC Scotland Sportsound. “We’re in constant discussions with a number of players and Vaclav is paramount to that. He’s been a huge success in the last couple of seasons and is, in my opinion, one of the top three or four keepers in the league.”
“He has attracted interest from clubs not only in Scotland but also south of the border and abroad. We’re doing all we can to keep the good players at the club.
“We can only make them offers that fit within our structures and our budget. If somebody comes in with a bigger and better offer, what can we do about it?”
Verdict
It should come as no surprise that St Mirren are doing all they can to hold onto the former Czech Republic youth international.
He was the hero of their penalty shoot-out play-off win over Dundee United at the end last season and his shot-stopping has been central to keeping them away from the drop zone this time around.
St Mirren are a relatively small club, though, and amid these uncertain financial times, he will surely receive more lucrative offers from elsewhere.
Rangers already have a top-quality no.1 in Allan McGregor, but Hladky is the kind of keeper who would provide genuine competition for places.
There’s likely to be a battle for his signature, but given the player is available on a free and has experience of the league, this move would be as low-risk as it gets.