Celtic will have to keep their eyes on the ongoing World Cup, as the Hoops must sign some quality players this summer in order to improve the squad.

Celtic have been linked with a couple of World Cup participants in recent weeks. Incidentally, they both play for the same national team and starter alongside each other in the opening game of their campaign.

The first name to be linked with Celtic was Benjamin Tahirovic. The news had broken before Bosnia & Herzegovina's game against Canada.

Naturally, a lot of Celtic fans had kept their eyes on that game and did not end up impressed with what they saw from the midfielder.

Since then, it has emerged that Celtic were also monitoring Tahirovic's midfield partner, Ivan Basic, who also started against Canada.

The news regarding Celtic's interest in Basic broke not too long ago and it looks like the Hoops already have the green light to make a move for the midfielder if they want to.

Basic currently plays for Astana in the Kazakh league, but it looks like there is already an understanding at the club that he could earn himself a move away with his performance at this World Cup.

According to The Celtic Way, Astana boss Grigory Babayan said regarding the situation and future of Basic:

"We have to be realistic and accept that Ivan's participation at the World Cup is an important moment in his career and could open the way for him to move to a stronger European league.

"We understand this guy has a great career ahead of him.

"He can prove himself at this level and move on to a top league. We have no right to stand in his way.

"Of course we would rather keep him in the team because he is extremely important to us, but I believe it is right to support the player in his development."

To be honest, that is a very positive way to look at things. Clubs rarely want to see their best players leave.

That being said, it is just the reality of modern football and its finances. Whether that be the case with Astana or Celtic themselves.

There needs to be an understanding that most professional footballers will want to move if they end up getting more lucrative opportunities elsewhere.

Now, coming back to the matter at hand, which is Basic. He plays in the middle of the park for Astana.

READ MORE: Celtic Make First Move to Sign Scotland International

He has been linked with Celtic as a potential replacement for Arne Engels, who is believed on the radar of a whole host of Premier League clubs as well as Italian giants Napoli.

Basic is 24 years of age and has already made 18 appearances for the Bosnia & Herzegovina national team, with the latest coming in their World Cup opener against Canada, in which he started and played for more than an hour as his team earned a 1-1 draw against the hosts.

If Basic can do well at the tournament, that would increase Celtic's chances of making a move for him.

But at the same time, it would also increase the chance of other clubs, perhaps in a stronger financial situation to make their move for Basic.

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