---
title: "Celtic: Strahinja Pavlovic “flattered” by links to Scottish champions"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-strahinja-pavlovic-flattered-by-links-to-scottish-champions/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dylan Walsh"
section: "SPFL News"
published: "2019-07-31T13:40:01Z"
modified: "2019-07-31T13:40:01Z"
---

# Celtic: Strahinja Pavlovic “flattered” by links to Scottish champions

**Partizan Belgrade defender Strahinja Pavlovic has admitted he was ‘flattered’ when he heard about rumours linking him to Celtic.**

Speaking to the press following Partizan’s win over Connah’s Quay Nomads in the Europa League as Neil Lennon watched on from the stands [via the Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/strahinja-pavlovic-flattered-celtic-link-18798796), the 18-year-old defender said he was flattered to know Celtic were there to watch him but insisted he is only focusing on the Serbian club.

Pavlovic said: “I was flattered when I heard about Celtic watching me in Wales. But for me, I have to only concentrate on my immediate future and that’s at Partizan.

“I’ve got to think I will be at this club for a long time. I can’t afford to get caught up in speculation before the next transfer window.”

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

With Juventus also reportedly interested in Pavlovic ([per Goal](https://www.goal.com/it/notizie/chi-e-strahinja-pavlovic-18enne-ha-puntato-juventus/1csrcyoh9yrji12y26hmni32hn)), Celtic seemingly face tough competition for the highly-rated 18-year-old, who was named in the 80-man shortlist for the annual Golden Boy award ([per Tuttosport](https://www.tuttosport.com/sondaggi/calcio/golden-boy/2019/07/12-58831753/vota_il_golden_boy_2019_le_80_nomination/)), but the Partizan defender’s aforementioned comments could prove to be something that gives the Scottish side an edge.

With a [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/strahinja-pavlovic/profil/spieler/574671) valuation of £1.8m, Pavlovic is seemingly a player Celtic can afford this summer, especially with [the Daily Mail recently reporting](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7303163/Transfer-news-Arsenal-closing-Kieran-Tierney-capture-restructuring-25m-deal.html?__twitter_impression=true&__twitter_impression=true) that Kieran Tierney’s £25m move to Arsenal is inching closer, and Neill Lennon would be smart to reinvest some of that money into signing the Serbian defender.

Since breaking into the Partizan first-team last season, Pavlovic has gone on to make 17 appearances for the Serbian side, earning seven clean sheets as stats from [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/strahinja-pavlovic/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/574671/plus/0?saison=&verein=669&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) show.

As well as a decent amount of experience at senior level and having a clean sheet record of 40%-per-match, the defender’s 6’4” frame makes him a physical presence in the backline, with Kristoffer Ajer and new signing Christopher Jullien the only players in the entire Celtic squad taller than Pavlovic.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

With only one central defender under the age of 23 in the first-team squad ([per Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-glasgow/kader/verein/371)), Lennon would be smart to look towards the future and use this summer as a platform to secure players for the years down the line, and Pavlovic could be a player that fits this bill perfectly.

Celtic can also make a big statement on the continent if they are to beat out the likes of Juventus for the defender, and with the club in line to receive a big payday in the form of Tierney’s departure, Lennon could have the financial power to make a deal possible.

***Celtic fans, would Pavlovic be a good signing? Let us know!***