Celtic keep targets under wraps

Lawwell hopes to attract some new faces to Celtic Park

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell insists the Premier League champions are busy searching for new recruits but have only made two offers so far.

"I can assure supporters that we are working hard once again to strengthen the squad for the coming season," he told the club website.

"We have only made two bids for players, one of which was accepted for Patrick McCourt.

"Any other claims that we have made bids for other players are nonsense."

Celtic signed Northern Ireland winger McCourt from Derry City last week but failed with an offer for striker Kyle Lafferty, who has since joined Old Firm rivals Rangers.

However, Celtic have been linked with a number of players this summer.

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James McFadden, Martin Stranzl, Khalid Boulahrouz, Mariusz Lewandowski and Jerko Leko are just some of the names mentioned in the media.

Manager Gordon Strachan did confirm his interest in Alexander Frei this month but the Switzerland striker suffered a serious knee injury during the first game of Euro 2008.

"Clearly, we do have our own real targets and we are working to secure these," added Lawwell.

"As is the case in every close season, particularly with Celtic, press speculation has linked many names with the club.

"While the club chooses to conduct its business quietly and in private, there is very little we can do about this speculation.

"However, it should be said that there have been numerous players mentioned who have never interested the club and who we have had absolutely no contact with."