Fenerbahce Join Hunt For Georgios Samaras Deal

Blues And Baggies Bid For Bobo Balde

By Tony Quinn

With all the Celtic first team on vacation and Gordon Strachan acting as a television pundit on BBC for the European Championship Finals in Switzerland and Austria, no real news is forthcoming from Celtic Park but the tabloids have been full of rumors linking players with the Hoops - here are a few:

Adam Virgo to leave Celtic on a permanent basis. After loan spells away at Coventry and Colchester in recent seasons, 25-year-old Virgo is wanted back at former club Brighton, where his old boss Micky Adams is now in charge once again. The Seagulls got £1.5m when they sold Virgo to Celtic but will have to pay only a fraction of that amount to do a deal this summer.

Paulo da Silva is reportedly happy to be seen as a target for the Scottish champions. "I've always wanted to play in Europe and we hope that the negotiations move forward, with either Celtic or other teams," said the 28-year-old defender, who currently plays with Toluca of Mexico.

Lee Naylor is a target for EPL newcomers Hull City. The former Wolves man is poised to return to England this summer and Celtic will look to replace him with long-time target Michal Kadlec. The 23-year-old Sparta Prague star Kadlec is a key figure for the Czech Republic at Euro 2008.

Martin Stranzl is being linked with a move to join Celtic. The 27-year-old defender, who currently plays for Spartak Moscow of Russia, will be a key part of the Austria squad at Euro 2008.

Fenerbahce are keen on a deal for Georgios Samaras. The Istanbul club join Werder Bremen in the race to prise the 23-year-old away from Celtic. The Bhoys remain in pole position to do a deal with Man City however for the Greek international, who is spearheading his country's bid to retain their European crown.

Leeds United are thought to be unwilling to pay Celtic's asking price of £1m for Derek Riordan. Leeds are thought to have offered 500,000 pounds for the forward who scored over 60 goals in three seasons at Hibs but his subsequent move to Celtic has brought only 13 starts.

U.S. U-20 National team goalkeeper Abdul 'Bill' Hamid has a contract offer pending to join to Celtic's reserve team. Hamid's grandparents are European citizens, so no visa issues are anticipated. Should the Hoops and player agree to terms, the 17-year old would be expected to report to pre-season camp on July 2nd. The contract would be a Reserve Team Contract only, permitting him to play with the U19s in the Celtic youth system or with the reserve team.

AC Milan defender Dario Simic fancies a move to Celtic. Simic says he favors a move to Glasgow over a new start in Turkey. He said: "Galatasaray want me to join them and Celtic want me too. If I could choose there is no doubt I'd prefer to join Celtic. They are a big club with an amazing football culture."

Birmingham and West Brom are bidding to sign defender Bobo Balde. The 32-year-old wants to leave Parkhead after being frozen out of the first-team frame by Gordon Strachan. Balde only made four league appearances last season . And Blues boss Alex McLeish, who tried to lure the giant centre-back to St Andrews in January's transfer window, is ready to reignite his interest. Baggies boss Tony Mowbray though has the upper hand in the race for Balde's signature as he can offer EPL football, having won the Championship title last season. Blues are back in the Championship so McLeish has a fight on his hands to convince Balde to play in England's second tier.

Switzerland and Borussia Dortmund forward Alexander Frei says Celtic are keen on securing his signature from the Bundesliga club. "Apparently Celtic were in for me in 2004 and 2006, now they want me again in 2008," said the 28-year-old. Frei, who will miss the remainder of Euro 2008 with a knee injury. He added: "No-one has ever put an offer on the table. If they want me they can phone. Otherwise, I do not want to talk about it."

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink will not be leaving Celtic this summer. The Dutch striker has been linked with a move to Werder Bremen this summer, but he insists he will be staying at Parkhead and helping the Bhoys to a fourth successive league title.

Former Motherwell defender Chris McCart has been appointed as the head of Celtic's youth academy. McCart had a similar role for the last seven years at Motherwell and takes over from Tommy Burns, who died of cancer in May. McCart goes back to Celtic for a second spell as a coach. Before taking up his previous role at Fir Park, he was part of the Celtic youth development staff. "It is a real pleasure and privilege to return to Celtic, a club which I have a great affection for," he said. Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: "We are delighted to welcome Chris back. He knows all about the club and, as someone who is highly sought after, we are very pleased to have secured his services."