Birmingham City to face Championship rival in transfer pursuit of Celtic star as Hoops move for ace 'doomed'

Birmingham City are set to be joined by an English Championship side in the race for a Celtic star - as a couple of Hoops deals look dead in the water.

Martin O’Neill has replaced Wilfried Nancy as manager until the end of the season and the ex-gaffer’s first game back was a 4-0 Premiership romp over Dundee United on Saturday. January’s transfer window is open and O’Neill says Celtic need new players in fast if they are to sustain their chase for the title they won last season, with Hearts and Rangers above them.

Exits are also on the agenda and Yang is one player linked with a move away. He impressed in the weekend win but Birmingham City have been mentioned as a suitor this month, but fellow Championship side Preston North End have now entered the race, according to the Herald. That comes amid blows on the signing front, with winger Jocelin Ta Bi’s move possibly off due to a surgery need, and Celtic loan hopes over Birmingham City striker Kyogo Furuhashi also look dashed after seeking a temporary switch for the striker that left Glasgow last year.

Celtic transfer update on signings and exits

It’s stated: “Celtic's hopes of concluding a £2million deal for Ivory Coast winger Jocelin Ta Bi have been undermined by injury. Plans to complete the deal are now under review, however, after tests showed up that the Maccabi Netanya right winger requires surgery for a medical issue.

“Regarded as a prospect for the future Celtic could return for Ta Bi in the summer but now look likely to turn their attention to other targets after the latest set back to plans to reinforce the squad this month.

“Championship side Preston North End are keen on Parkhead winger Hyun-jun Yang, with the South Korean coming close to a move to Birmingham City in the summer. Also seeking goals in attack an attempt to bring former Parkhead striker Kyogo Furuhashi back to Glasgow now looks doomed after the former fans favourite decided he wanted to fight for his place at Birmingham.”

Martin O’Neill on Celtic 4-0 Dundee United

Speaking on the four-goal win over Jim Goodwin’s side, who defeated Celtic last month during Nancy’s tenure, O’Neill said: “It was great to win, there’s no feeling like it. It was brilliant to win and we played some really great stuff too.

“I’m delighted, but you still have to get the first goal in the game, and Yang comes up and he scores it, he had an excellent performance as did all the team. I’m sometimes a wee bit like the crowd, I get a bit impatient, as I think sometimes we can move it a wee bit quicker. But things like that will come, I’m delighted with them and eventually it was patience that got us the reward.”

Next up for Celtic is a league clash with Falkirk. Then the Scottish Cup schedule kicks off with an away game against West of Scotland Football League side Auchinleck Talbot.