Liverpool winger Adam Hammill has ruled out a loan move to Celtic.

Hammill was aware of the interest from Parkhead and declared himself 'excited' by the prospect of gaining more experience in the SPL.

Unwilling to countenance a permanent sale, however, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez ruled out Celtic's interest on the basis of ferocious competition for places in the Hoops' midfield.

Watford, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Leicester are all now keen and it is expected that Hammill will be denied a return north of the border after his agent, Tamas Byrne, told the Daily Mail: "It's looking like Adam is going to the Championship within the next 48 hours. There was interest from Celtic, but I think he was one of a number of players they were looking at.

"Liverpool have stipulated that Adam has to play every week and that was the main stumbling block with Celtic. I don't think they can make a guarantee of first-team football to anyone."