Manager has dismissed latest Celtic transfer rumour

The manager has come out and dismissed the latest Celtic transfer rumour although he has not completely closed the door on the possibility of the move.

Celtic have gone out and done some impressive business in the current transfer window. Permanent deals have been secured for the likes of Vasilis Barkas, Albian Ajeti and David Turnbull for a combined fee in the region of £12 million. Mohamed Elyounoussi’s loan deal from Southampton was extended for another season as well.

The crown jewel was perhaps though the capture of Shane Duffy on a season-long loan from Brighton and Hove Albion. But as we all know, things never stay still at a club the size of Celtic, especially when they are about to challenge for 10IAR. And so, the club are expected to complete a few more deals before the window slams shut.

The latest transfer rumour surrounding the Hoops have been about James McClean. The Irish winger has forged out a successful career for himself in England, making over a 100 appearances each in both the Premier League and the Championship while playing for Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion, Wigan Athletic and Stoke City.

The 31-year-old has always let his desire be known of playing for Celtic one day. It does definitely look like though that the move is not going to take place after all.

As reported by Stoke-on-Trent Live, Stoke City manager Michael O’Neill said of the rumour:

"“I think that’s probably just a rumour that’s been created by someone – and it certainly hasn’t come from our end. James isn’t a player, equally, that we are looking to lose at this minute in time.“The nature of the transfer window is such that you have to be flexible and if any situation arises with any player you have to give it consideration, particularly where we are at this minute in time.”"

A left-sided player by nature, he is capable of playing at left-wing, left-midfield and left-back. And Celtic could do with someone as versatile as McClean although he might not be the player that he once was. That seems very unlikely at the moment though.