O'Neill faces battle to land playmaker Kinkladze

MARTIN O'NEILL faces a battle to land Georgi Kinkladze but his agent claimed yesterday Parkhead would be the perfect destination.

The Georgian playmaker is believed to be the Celtic manager's number one choice to replace Lubo Moravcik.

But Daniel Izza, of Manchester law firm Laytons, claims a number of Barclaycard Premiership clubs and European clubs with Champions League football assured, have already made offers.

He revealed that after unsuccessful spells at Ajax and Derby, the former Manchester City man wants to finish his career with a bang.

"It's quite delicate to say who else is interested," he said. "But he's got to think about the right move now.

"He's had a move to Ajax which wasn't the greatest move because of things that happened politically at Ajax

"His move to Derby from Ajax was a reaction to get back to England, but that club have had financial difficulties and gone down.

"He really needs to be in a team on the up and can use him to the best of his abilities. Kinkladze's agent also admitted the midfielder would relish stepping into role vacated by Moravcik at Celtic.

O'Neill has been searching for a play-maker to replace the Slovakian since his departure last summer.

So far those moves have proved unsuccessful, but with the Georgia international out of contract with Derby in six days' time a Bosman free could prove tempting. Izza also believes the 29-year-old's pay demands would not frighten off O'Neill.

Switzerland international Hakan Yakin has confirmed he is ready to talk to Celtic.

But the FC Basle midfielder wants to meet the Parkhead boss in person according to his agent. Ertan Irizik said:

"When the Celtic manager returns from his holiday, then we will speak with him."

But the Hoops look set to miss out on Yildiray Basturk of Bayer Leverkusen despite the Bundesliga club accepting an offer for the Turk.

Leverkusen managing director Reiner Calmund said: "I can confirm that we have accepted an acceptable offer from Celtic and now the decision is in the hands of the player."

However, the 24-year-old has reportedly rejected the opportunity to play in Scotland.

Meanwhile, Ipswich manager Joe Royle admitted he is keeping tabs on Celtic goalkeeper Javier Sanchez Broto. The Spaniard's contract with the Hoops finished at the end of the season.

Royle said: "Javier has been recommended to us by a number of agents and he is someone we are well aware of and are considering.

"There are also a couple of other keepers I have in mind, but I won't be making any moves for them until I get back from holiday."