Celtic summer transfer target teases January 'reward' as Hibs offer chance to ex-Rangers man

The Torino midfielder was linked to Celtic throughout the summer transfer window, with Martin O’Neill’s men understood to be considering Gineitis as a replacement for the outgoing Arne Engels, who signed for West Ham United in a deal worth £22million last month. RB Salzburg, Crystal Palace and Leeds United were also said to have been interested in the Lithuanian.

No agreement was reached come the transfer deadline though, meaning Gineitis stayed in Serie A with Torino. However, after producing a stunning performance in Lithuania’s 2-0 win over Liechtenstein, the 22-year-old opened up on the summer interest in his services and directly addressed a move to Celtic.

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“Of course, I want to play better, do everything better” said Gineitis. “That pressure for society will always be there. It will be there my whole life in football, and I’m used to it. We [Lithuania] have a lot of players who are really growing, who are playing in high-level leagues. There are players whose team are aiming high. There are playing who are playing in the Europa League, the Conference League. It’s really fun to come to the national team every time.

“Whether you want to or not, you still think about it a little bit [transfer interest]. You realise that maybe something could happen, that something is happening. But I’m glad that I always manage to focus on the club I’m with right now.” Asked about Celtic’s reported interest in him, he added: “It would be an interesting and rewarding experience, it would be interesting to test myself at that level, at a club like that. But for now, I’m where I am.

"If the club [Torino] wanted to sell me and another club wanted to buy me, the question would be what terms they’d offer me to play for that club. Of course, I would consider that option if it would help me and if I wanted to leave myself. Ultimately, it would all depend on my own decision anyway."

Elsewhere, former Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo has been offered a chance to make a quick return to the Scottish Premiership after his release from SK Brann in August. The Wales international departed Ibrox by mutual consent in March, quickly penning an agreement with the Norwegian outfit. However, a lack of game time in Bergen saw his contract cancelled just five months after his arrival, and he’s now been offered a trial by Hibs.

The Easter Road side, who are currently training in La Manga over the three-week international break, appointed Marink Reedijk as their new head coach earlier this week, and the Dutch boss will run the rule over Matondo at the club’s Spanish training camp.