‘If Celtic succeed, he’d better be a 20–goal striker at least’

Aidan Smith on the Ciftci saga,

DUNDEE United legend Jim Mcinally reckons Celtic are willing to take a calculated risk in their pursuit of Nadir Ciftci as they feel they can perhaps double or treble their investment in the future.

Celtic are expected to go back in again to try to secure Ciftci ahead of their Champions League qualifiers, and United boss Jackie Mcnamara has admitted that his club is effectively powerless to stop them.

It is understood that United want £1.5 million for the 23-yearold, who has a year left on his contract.

Peterhead boss Mcinally, who spent ten seasons at Tannadice, says signing Ciftci makes complete sense on football grounds. However, he worries about the baggage Ciftci carries, especially as the striker is facing a lengthy suspension if an SFA hearing on 20 July finds him guilty of biting Dundee’s Jim Mcallister.

Former Scotland star Mcinally thinks that Celtic might feel they can develop him further and sell him on for a profit – as they have done so successfully in the past.

Celtic have amassed a staggering £25m on deals involving Victor Wanyama, Fraser Forster, Ki Sung-yueng, Gary Hooper and Kelvin Wilson, so Mcinally can see the logic of bringing in Ciftci in an attempt to cash in down the line.

He said: “If you are talking only in football terms, then there is no dispute and no surprise that Celtic are chasing him.

“He’s a good player and he has a lot of good attributes and Celtic clearly feel he can fit into their plans.

“They have a track record of developing players and selling them for a profit.

“Maybe they feel they can do the same with Ciftci by giving him the platform to play on, especially if they are in the Champions League.

“However, there is no doubt that he is a loose cannon. He has been involved in more than a few incidents and, of course, he has this biting charge hanging over him.”

Mcinally, who reached the 1987 Uefa Cup final and won the 1994 Scottish Cup with United, sympathises with his old club.

They are under pressure from the supporters not to sell Ciftci to Celtic following the furious fall-out over Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-steven moving to Parkhead last season ahead of the League Cup final.

Mcinally, who started his career at Celtic, added: “I feel sorry for United because they are caught in such a difficult situation.

“They agreed a fee with Wigan and the player decided against it so maybe it would be best for all parties if Celtic match that fee and the deal is done.

“Celtic seem determined to get him and the player is obviously keen, so I feel it’s inevitable he will go to Parkhead.”