Zheng Zhi can help Celtic unlock China riches

With the signing of Zheng Zhi, Celtic can tap into the lucrative Chinese football market - if they do it right.

That's the opinion of Chinese marketing guru Jackie Yu.

Yu worked with the Chinese FA during the 2007 Women's World Cup in China and knows the spending habits of a country which is growing to love football inside out.

Now she says if Celtic are switched on they could be sitting on a fortune thanks to Zheng's signing.

Yu told the Scottish Sun: "There is a potential goldmine in China for Celtic if they do things properly.

"Celtic have to put in the groundwork first and, most importantly, make sure they market China the right way.

"There is a lot of money to be made in China from football merchandising, as we have seen from the English Premiership.

"Everywhere you go in China or Hong Kong, people are walking around with Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal shirts and it is up to Celtic to ensure they all now wear Celtic shirts.

"But it's more than that. All Scottish teams like Rangers can also take advantage if there is a heightened interest in the SPL."