Celtic could have a chance to secure summer target Balazs Toth on a pre-contract, with the Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper continuing to resist a new deal at Ewood Park.

Alan Nixon reports that the Hungarian international is keeping his options open ahead of his contract expiring next summer. Blackburn are willing to improve his terms, but their efforts have so far failed to persuade him to commit.

That could give Celtic another opportunity to sign a goalkeeper they pursued before bringing Sam Johnstone in on loan from Wolves.

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According to Nixon, Celtic were the only club to come close to securing Toth during the summer.

He reports: “However Toth is stalling and looking to see his options at the end of the season – with one eye on a big move.”

Nixon adds: “Toth has been on top form lately after surprisingly not finding a new move last summer – with only Celtic coming remotely close to a deal.”

Should that contract situation remain unresolved, a pre-contract agreement for next season could become an option for Celtic in January.

Celtic’s summer business has left the longer-term goalkeeping decision open. Johnstone arrived on a season-long loan and has made just two starts, with Viljami Sinisalo back between the sticks. The Wolves goalkeeper has yet to establish himself as Martin O’Neill’s first choice.

Sinisalo has the shirt and the opportunity to keep it. However, doubts remain within Celtic Park over whether he can become the club’s long-term number one.

That makes Toth’s situation relevant beyond simply adding another goalkeeper to the squad. Celtic already assessed him during the summer, when he emerged as an option to compete with the Finnish international. Celts Are Here understands his availability without a transfer fee has kept the stopper firmly on the Scottish champions radar.

There is still time for Sinisalo to strengthen his claim as number one, of course. Sam Johnstone looks less likely to make an impact with every passing week he sits on the bench.

But Celtic should be planning for what happens when Johnstone’s loan finishes. Toth remains a goalkeeper some inside Celtic believe can improve the team, his reluctance to sign at Blackburn presents an opportunity to settle that business well before next summer.