Celtic are intensifying their pursuit of Aston Villa outcast Stephen Ireland.
The Mirror says Celtic want to sign Ireland on loan - and in time to make a dramatic debut against Rangers in the Old Firm derby.
Neil Lennon's club are first in the queue for the extrovert midfielder and their backers are prepared to pay Villa around £40,000-a-week to take Ireland for the second half of the season.
The Glasgow giants would like Ireland to join immediately to get him ready for the big game with their title rivals, with negotiations moving on quickly.
Villa would like to sell Ireland or let him go to a club on loan who guarantee they will take him off their hands. However Celtic are looking for a quick answer rather than waiting until the end of the window.
