Rumour Mill: Celtic meet Ciftci price tag | Bailly

CELTIC have made an offer of £1.5 million for Dundee United striker Nadir Ciftci, Belgian goalkeeper Logan Bailly is close to signing a deal at Celtic, and Rangers manager Mark Warburton has been encouraged to speed up his summer recruitment process.

Nadir Ciftci salutes the home fans after what could be his final game for Dundee United. Picture: SNS

Celtic match asking price for Nadir Ciftci

Celtic have matched Dundee United’s asking price for Nadir Ciftci with a £1.5 million offer for the striker.

United recently issued a ‘deal or no deal’ ultimatum to the champions regarding their prized asset after two bids of £900,000 and £1 million were rejected. (Daily Record)

Nadir Ciftci salutes the home fans after what could be his final game for Dundee United. Picture: SNS

Celtic on brink of signing Logan Bailly

Belgian goalkeeper Logan Bailly is poised to become Celtic’s third signing of the summer transfer window.

The 29-year-old is expected in Glasgow today to undergo a medical with the Scottish champions after his move from Belgian club OH Leuven was agreed in principle yesterday.

Bailly will provide experienced back-up and competition for Celtic’s current number one goalkeeper and last season’s Player of the Year in Scotland, Craig Gordon. (The Scotsman)

Mark Warburton urged ‘to step up recruitment’

Alex MacDonald has expressed encouragement at the fresh direction Rangers are seeking to take under new manager Mark Warburton this season.

But the Ibrox legend also believes the new man in the hot seat at his former club must step up his player recruitment process if they are to hit the ground running in the new campaign.

With less than three weeks of pre-season preparations remaining, Rangers have so far signed three new players in goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and central defenders Danny Wilson and Rob Kiernan.

It leaves Warburton’s first-team squad still short of numbers after the release of all 11 players whose contracts expired at the end of last season’s failed attempt to secure promotion to the top flight. (The Scotsman)

Celtic target Jelle Vossen signs for Burnley

Striker Jelle Vossen has agreed a three-year deal to join English Championship side Burnley, ending the long running narrative that the Belgian was going to sign for Celtic.

The player previously stated his ‘admiration’ for the Scottish champions when quizzed about the supposed interest.

The 26-year old will now try to lead the Clarets back into the English top flight at the first time of asking. (BBC)

No Hearts contract for Mergim Bajraktari

Hearts have decided against offering a contract to trialist Mergim Bajraktari.

The Swiss-born Albanian 22-year-old, most recently of Stade Nyonnais, had spent some time training at Riccarton before joining Robbie Neilson’s squad on their pre-season trip to Ireland last week.

However, since returning to Edinburgh with the rest of the squad on Sunday, he has been informed by head coach Neilson that Hearts will be taking their interest no further. (Evening News)

Antonio Reguero urged to fight for Hibs gloves

Alan Stubbs today told new goalkeeper Antonio Reguero that Mark Oxley remains Hibs’ No.1 after the Spanish star signed a one-year deal with the Easter Road club.

But the head coach expects Reguero, who has joined his new team-mates at their training camp in the south of Spain, to provide competition for the former Hull City man, who himself only recently clinched a new two-year contract. (Evening News)

Kris Boyd undergoes hair transplant

Premiership striker Kris Boyd has become the latest in a line of footballers including Wayne Rooney and James McFadden to have a hair transplant.

The Kilmarnock star was inspired to have the procedure after seeing the transformation of McFadden, who he said was “a lot balder” than himself, with hair “worse than mine”. (The Scotsman)

Christian Nade for top flight return with Hamilton

Christian Nade’s determination to prove himself as a top flight player in Scotland has paid off with the 30-year-old French-born striker being offered a deal with Hamilton Accies.

The move will mark the former Le Havre and Sheffield United striker’s return to the highest level in Scotland after a break of five years following his release from a spell at Hearts. (The Scotsman)

News in brief

• St Mirren are on the verge of signing Danish defender Mads Ibenfeldt from Southend. (The Herald)

• Queen of the South have signed former Hearts midfielder Callum Tapping. (SPFL)

• St Johnstone told they’ll have to wait on any deal to bring Danny Swanson back to the club after new Coventry boss Tony Mowbray stated that he wished to evaluate the player first. (The Scotsman)

• Ex-Ross County and Motherwell midfielder Paul Lawson will sign for Highland League side Formartine United. (Various)