Celtic have been dealt a blow in their bid to bring Ladislav Almasi to Parkhead in the January transfer window.

What's the latest?

That's according to Banik Ostrava sporting director Ludek Miklosko, who revealed in recent comments cited by The Herald that, despite the centre-forward reported to be a long-term target of Ange Postecoglou, the Fortuna Liga club have not received any contact from the Premiership side regarding the 23-year-old.

However, Miklosko did go on to claim that Slavia Prague have made contact with Banik Ostrava regarding a move for the Slovakia international this month, although the title-hopefuls are yet to follow up these initial talks with a concrete offer.

Regarding the future of Almasi, Miklosko said: "To tell you the truth, I don't know anything about this interest from Scotland. I don't think anyone contacted the club directly from the club mentioned, Celtic.

"I know about there was some interest from Slavia Prague, but it soon eased off. Apart from that, there has been nothing concrete.

"We discussed his future with his agent and we both agreed it would be best for him to stay with us this season and get himself fully fit again. He has been unlucky with injuries, but we won't cry about it. That's football. I believe he will be back in a few weeks."

Ange must move

Considering just how exciting a talent Almasi very much looks to be, in addition to Giorgos Giakoumakis being heavily linked with a move away from Parkhead in the coming weeks, the argument that Postecoglou simply must launch a move for the 23-year-old this winter is an extremely easy one to make.

Indeed, following his move to Banik Ostrava in the summer of 2021, the £700k-rated talent was in deadly form over his fifth-place finish in the top flight of Czech football last time out.

It has been a similar story over the 6 foot 5 centre-forward's seven league outings in the current campaign, with Almasi having already hit the back of the net five times - averaging a goal every 115 minutes of football played this season.

This form has seen one Celtic source heap a considerable amount of praise on the two-cap international, with Everything Celtic stating of the Slovakian sensation earlier this month:

"A goal every 115 minutes for Banik Ostrava this season, he's continuing the form that saw him bag eighteen last term. Slovakia rewarded the 23-year-old with a call-up to their team where he's become a regular in their attack. Excellent aerial ability!"

As such, considering Almasi's imposing physical presence, his clinical nature in the final third and the fact he is still only 23 years of age, it would indeed appear as if the forward would make something of a dream heir to Giakoumakis in Postecoglou's squad - leading us to believe that the Greek-Australian coach must do all he can to land the youngster this winter.