Celtic backed to complete 'amazing' Ivan Basic deal - 'it will get done'

Celtic are expected to seal the signing of Astana midfielder Ivan Basic once the World Cup is over.

That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that Martin O'Neill is a huge fan of the 24-year-old.

Basic is currently away in North America representing Bosnia and Herzegovina, and has started in one of their opening two group stage games.

He is out of contract in Kazakhstan at the end of December, but Wyness believes that Astana will try to squeeze a little more money out of the Bhoys if the player continues to impress at the World Cup.

Basic is currently away from Astana in the middle of their league campaign, and has one goal to his name from 10 appearances so far.

O'Neill and Celtic have had their eyes on him in recent months, and Wyness is clear that he sees little barrier to a deal being done.

Keith Wyness: Ivan Basic will be a 'big hit' at Celtic

Aberdeen's former chief Wyness - who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004 and now runs a consultancy business advising elite clubs - believes that Basic would be a good fit for the Scottish Premiership.

Typically employed as a box-to-box midfielder for both club and country, the youngster plays a combative and all-action style.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness made it clear that O'Neill has already picked Basic out as a player who could be a "big hit" at Celtic Park.

"Martin O'Neill quite likes him from what I understand. So I think that it will get done. It's pretty straightforward to get done," he said.

"It's amazing that Celtic and Astana are now trading players. I think that will be one that will get done, and I think Basic will be quite a big hit in Scotland as well. 

"If he has a great World Cup, of course, they're going to squeeze Celtic for more, but still, they're going to do their best. I'll be watching him closely in the next few games and the group stages to see how he looks."

Celtic capable of striking cut-price deal for Basic

Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Astana are willing to sanction Basic's exit this summer.

The Kazakh side know that this is their final chance to cash in on their star, and they are prepared to accept a cut-price offer for him as a result.

That will be music to the ears of Celtic, who are continuing to "keep tabs" on him during his time at the World Cup.

There is an expectance that interest in Basic elsewhere in Europe will grow as he nears the end of his contract, so Celtic are keen to get a deal done this summer.