Celtic are set to miss out on the signing of Tommy Smith according to a report in the Daily Record.
The defender left Huddersfield’s Austrian training camp yesterday sparking social media speculation that he was set to fill Celtic’s problem right-back position.
Celtic’s interest in the 27-year-old has mainly been generated by the Huddersfield based Examiner publisher but after losing Mikael Lustig, Cristian Gamboa and Jeremy Toljan right-back is clearly a position that Neil Lennon is looking to strengthen.
Despite the speculation the Record reports:
The Huddersfield Town defender was high up on Neil Lennon’s wishlist with the Hoops willing to bid up to £2.5m for the 27-year-old.
But Record Sport understands Smith has opted to remain in the Championship after the Potters met the asking price and a deal is set to be sealed on Thursday.
The full back was spotted leaving Huddersfield’s training camp in Austria on Wednesday but was heading to Staffordshire rather than Glasgow.
Celtic remain in the market for a right back and the loss of Smith could open the door for a move for Sheffield United’s George Baldock – who was also on Stoke’s radar.
Last summer Celtic were believed to be close to signing Cristiano Piccini, in January they were reported to have made offers to Atalanta for Timothy Castagna before signing Toljan on loan.
The summer departures has left Tony Ralston as the only recognised right-back at the club but after featuring in the three pre-season matches he was left out of Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier against FK Sarajevo.
Earlier in the week Jack Stacey, who had been linked with Celtic, joined Bournemouth in a £4m deal from Luton Town.
