Celtic are monitoring the situation of Balazs Toth after reports emerged that the Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper is resisting the club's attempts to secure him on a new contract. As first reported by Alan Nixon, the 29-year-old Hungarian international is currently reluctant to commit to fresh terms at Ewood Park, leaving the Championship side facing uncertainty regarding his long-term future at the club.
Toth has established himself as a consistent presence for Blackburn this season, having started eight of the club's 11 league fixtures. Despite his influence on the pitch, his contract status has become a focal point of discussion within the squad. While the club's hierarchy has moved to initiate extension talks, the lack of progress has alerted potential suitors, including Celtic, who maintain an interest in the goalkeeper following the conclusion of the summer window.
Blackburn manager addresses contract impasse
Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray has addressed the situation publicly, acknowledging that while discussions have taken place, the player has yet to agree to an extension. Speaking to local media, Mowbray emphasized that he remained hopeful of retaining the goalkeeper but was realistic about the pressures of the modern transfer market.
"I get on well with Balazs. I still don't think it's a done deal that he'd be leaving," Mowbray told reporters. "I know his contractual situation is what it is and it's running down. I'm pretty sure there are conversations being had and, if at any stage I can get involved to help the situation, I will."
Mowbray also pointed to the financial realities that Championship clubs face when interest arrives from larger clubs. "If a club with the resources to blow this club's financial structure out of the water comes in, history tells you people move on, and good luck to footballers," he noted. The manager stopped short of confirming a breakdown in negotiations, instead focusing on the player's recent contributions, including a series of crucial saves in recent league fixtures.
Celtic goalkeeper recruitment strategy
For Celtic, the development revives interest in a player who was extensively scouted during the summer window. The Scottish Premiership side entered the market for a long-term solution following the retirement of Kasper Schmeichel. Ultimately, the club secured Sam Johnstone on a loan deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers to bolster their options, with Viljami Sinisalo also competing for the number-one shirt.
However, the loan move for Johnstone was viewed as a pragmatic solution rather than a permanent fix to the club's long-term goalkeeping requirements. Should Toth continue to reject extension offers at Blackburn, Celtic will be presented with a decision on whether to formalise their interest. The player's current trajectory suggests he is nearing a phase where he could open discussions regarding a future move, potentially as a free agent, depending on how the contract situation at Ewood Park develops heading into the January window.
The club's recruitment department will likely continue to evaluate his performances as the season progresses. Any formal move would depend on both the player's willingness to depart for Scotland and Blackburn's assessment of whether to retain him for the remainder of the campaign or facilitate an exit before his deal expires.
