Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has said a return to Parkhead for Kyogo Furuhashi is “unlikely” with the striker keen to prove himself at Birmingham City.
The Premiership champions have been in talks with the English side over a loan move for the Japanese forward, who was a prolific goalscorer during his time in Glasgow.
A £10m move to Rennes last January did not work out well, and after a summer move to Birmingham, Furuhashi has only scored once.
Celtic have been hopeful that a return to a club where he won four league titles and five national cups would be appealing to the 30-year-old, but O’Neill believes the player wants to remain where he is.
“I would have said that [a move] would probably be unlikely,” the Celtic boss said. “I think everything’s premature.
“I think there is a viewpoint that he wants to really prove himself at Birmingham.”
O’Neill, who returned to the club himself last week to replace Wilfried Nancy, is keen to see new faces brought in to help the team in the title race, and he said that work continues behind the scenes to try and strengthen his squad.
“We’re doing plenty of work on it, seriously,” he said. “I know that’s a big generalisation.
“We are doing that there, and hopefully trying to get a few players in. There’s a lot of work going on at the moment.
“I think that we are well aware that we have to supplement the squad.”
Rangers’ midweek win over Aberdeen moved the Ibrox side three points clear of Celtic, having played a game more, and leaders Hearts are six points ahead of the defending champions.
O’Neill says both their rivals for the title are strengthening, and it’s essential Celtic do the same.
“I think it will be crucial,” he said. “I think it’s really important for us as well to get some people in to supplement the squad. I keep saying that.
“And I’m hoping that we’ll be able to do it. Because I think that the other two clubs we’re talking about will see that this is an opportunity to bolster their squads.
“What they do is entirely up to them. But we will need to do something.”
O’Neill also addressed rumours that Celtic captain Callum McGregor could be in line for a move to Saudi Arabia to be reunited with Brendan Rodgers, saying the experienced midfielder was crucial.
“If you’re asking me, would he go in this transfer window, that would be a major shock,” he said.
“A major disappointment for me. I don’t think we could cope with that.”
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
