CELTIC have reportedly clinched a deal for Finland international striker Teemu Pukki. The Schalke striker is due to jet in to Glasgow on Monday to tie up a deal that would see the 23-year-old sign for around £3 million, although he would be ineligible to face Kazakhstan outfit Shakhter Karagandy. Pukki, who has scored six goals in 24 international games, has been the subject of sustained interest from the Parkhead side, who turned their attentions to the Schalke forward after being priced out of a move for Heerenveen striker Alfreð Finnbogason - and Neil Lennon hinted after his side’s 2-2 draw with Inverness CT that he would be signing a striker and midfielder during the course of the next week. Schalke have failed to win a single Bundesliga match this season, and although the German side had refused to sell the 23-year-old - who is highly-rated by Finland boss Mixu Paatelainen - they now appear willing to do a deal for the striker, who has netted eight goals in 37 appearances. The Hoops boss has lost prolific striker Gary Hooper to Norwich, and faces something of an injury crisis ahead of the crunch match at Parkhead with up to three attacking players a worry for Lennon. Anthony Stokes and Derk Boerrigter are both doubts for the match, the former with a troublesome calf injury, whilst James Forrest is believed to have a 50/50 chance of being fit for the match. Lennon is also sweating over the fitness of defender Virgil Van Dijk, who tweaked his hamstring during the match but Beram Kayal - who limped off with a groin strain after 22 minutes yesterday - is definitely out. CUTCH
Posted on: Sun, 25 Aug 2013 16:06:21 +0000
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