Petkov eyes Celtic switch

Bulgarian left-back Ivaylo Petkov is confident of signing for Celtic next week.

The 30-year-old is a free agent after his contract with Turkish club Ankaragucu ended and he revealed he is set to tie up a deal with the Parkhead club after they return from their midweek trip to Japan.

Petkov said: “My agent has already spoken with Gordon Strachan and Peter Lawwell (chief executive). Celtic want me and I want to go there. That’s why I believe a deal will be done in a couple of days.

“I think I will travel to Scotland after Celtic’s match with Yokohama to speak to the club and clear the details.”

Meanwhile, Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp insists he will not increase his £5million bid to bring Hoops midfielder Stilian Petrov to Fratton Park.

The Bulgarian international is desperate to get away from Parkhead but Redknapp believes Celtic have priced themselves out of a deal.

The Pompey boss told the Scottish Sun: “As far as I’m aware Celtic have turned down our £5million bid and I think that’s it over.

“I couldn’t honestly recommend to the club to pay any more for the boy. I have a high regard for Petrov’s talent and I’d have been delighted to have signed him, but enough is enough.

“I believe we were the only club in for Petrov and I reckon Celtic might find it difficult getting better money than that.”