Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
YAYA A NO-NO
Hoops rule out a move for City midfield legend Toure
CELTIC are set to pass up the chance to sign Yaya Toure despite the Ivory Coast legend leaving the door open for a possible move to Parkhead.
It is understood the Scottish Premiership champs are not interested offering the 35-year-old ex-manchester City ace the chance to hook up with brother and Hoops coach Kolo (below).
Toure sparked talk of joining Celts when he refused to rule out a deal when a guest on Sky Sports’ Monday Night football.
He said: “Celtic are a great team but I will speak to Brendan Rodgers and we’ll see what happens.”
But sources at the club have confirmed no deal for the midfield powerhouse is in the pipeline as boss
Rodgers is chasing targets in other positions.
Toure has options in France and England, and he is also on the wishlist of several clubs in the MLS.
The former Barcelona star is a free agent after his spell back at first club Olympiakos was cut short following just four appearances.
Toure made a return to Greece following eight successful seasons at Man City but started only two matches and came off the bench twice after the move turned sour.
Celtic are looking to strengthen but not in midfield, with Rodgers looking to offload central players such as Youssouf Mulumbu and Scott Allan.
The Hoops boss remains on the trail of Toure’s former Olympiakos teammate Omar Elabdellaoui but the Greeks are determined to keep hold of the right back and are looking for double the £4m Celtic are willing to pay.
Celts are out for defensive cover but there has been no new bid for Aberdeen centre back Scott Mckenna.
The Parkhead club had a £3.5m bid for the Scotland star rejected by the Dons in the summer who are convinced they could land up to £10m for the 21-year-old from clubs in England.
Aston Villa remain in the hunt and Celtic are continuing to monitor the situation – but won’t splash out the cash for the youngster in January. Aberdeen are adamant they will only do business in this window if they can negotiate a loan back arrangement for the remainder of the campaign.
Meanwhile Celtic are facing a sweat over Tom Rogic after the playmaker fired Australia in to the knockout stages of the Asia Cup.
The 26-year-old – who missed the Old Firm defeat to hook up with the Socceroos – slammed home an injury time stunner to sink Syria 3-2 and claim a spot in the last 16.
Rogic’s national joy has handed Celtic a headache however, with their star man now certain to miss more matches after the club returns from the winter break.
The Asia Cup runs until February 1, ruling the Aussie ace out of this weekend’s
Scottish Cup clash with
Airdrie, plus league matches against St Mirren,
Hamilton and a double header with St Johnstone.