Celtic have got four days to sign Johnny Russell.
Last night Dundee United and Derby County agreed a deal believed to be in the region of £750,000 to take the striker to the Midlands.
Russell is currently on holiday but will travel to Derby on Monday to undergo a medical and finalise the deal.
Neil Lennon has been a long term admirer of the Scotland u-21 striker who is believed to be keen on a move to Celtic.
Dundee United would rather sell the striker to England but an additional £100,000 or a loan player would make a significant difference to Jackie McNamara’s budget for the new season.
The Tannadice boss has already lost Willo Flood and Jon Daly since the season ended with United in the process of significantly lowering their wage bill.
Lennon has been reluctant to sign SPL players but Russell fits a similar profile to Anthony Stokes who has averaged over 15 goals a season since Celtic paid Hibs £800,000 for his services in August 2010.
On Monday the Celtic boss said: “We like Russell as a player and always have done. We are monitoring the situation at the minute.”
Celtic’s wage bill will be significantly reduced at the end of this month when Daryl Murphy, Lassad Nouioui, Miku, Paddy McCourt and Thomas Rogne run out of contract.
With over £20m profit banked from the Champions League campaign Celtic are in a strong position financially but are likely to bring in £5m less from season ticket sales after announcing across the board reductions of £100.
Those factors won’t have a significant bearing on the club’s transfer policy which is geared at attracting young emerging talent with a sell-on value.
On every check Russell fits the bill to be a Celtic player with the club having until Monday to bring the Coatbridge boy to Celtic Park.
Get Russell in.
Russell must be brought in, great left foot & mobility…..finger out Celtic!
Why would Russell want to spend his time sitting on the bench and playing pub teams in the SPL when he could develop his talents in the most competitive league in England right in front of the premier League scouts? Derby will offer him just as much money as Celtic too given the backing of their billionaire north american investors. Let’s hope he is as good as the hype as Kenny Miller, Chris Porter, Chris McGuire and Conor Sammon have all failed to pull up trees there.
i believe Lassad Nouioui stilll has a year to run on his contract
Will we be looking to bring the boy Mackay-Stevens in too? Every time I see him play he makes me get out my seat. Exciting player that fits our model too
I hope he joins Derby he will fit in just right and with the addition of a couple of other key players we should be pushing for a premier league place next season. He may well join Celtic I just hope he decides to come to Pride Park !
The bid’s in.
Why offer £ 100k more or a player on loan ?
Make the exact same offer as Derby and match their terms, If Russell can’t see the additional benefits of playing for Celtic in comparison to Derby then he / his agent should be shot. But he isn’t an exceptional talent that we NEED to push the boat out for, he will bring some welcome pace to the front line if he signs.
I think the extra 100k or loan player deal is to sweeten Dundee Utd who dont want to sell him to Celtic but rather out of the SPL, as they know his talents would hurt them in the future. Celtic really must sign Russell, he is a class act an has great potential.
send for RUSSELL NOW CELTIC
Get him now before its to late
Good for Scotland But for Europe I don’t think so