Celtic’s Scottish Cup opponents Greenock Morton have failed in a late attempt to sign former Bhoys striker Nadir Ciftci ahead of their visit to Paradise.
The Bhoys enter the competition at the Fourth Round stage this weekend, as Ange Postecoglou aims to get his hands on the trophy for the first time.
Celtic Park awaits the Hoops after they were drawn to take on Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton on Saturday.
The Cappielow side has faced off against the Scottish champions on four occasions in the last 13 years, making three visits to Celtic Park.
Their most recent trip came during Brendan Rodgers reign as manager, as Celtic came out comfortable 3-0 winners on the afternoon. It could also be remembered as Marvin Compper’s one and only appearance in the green and white!
Of course, Greenock Morton have also enjoyed some success in recent times in the East End of Glasgow, defeating the Bhoys 1-0 in the League Cup.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
The scorer of the only goal that day in 2013 was Dougie Imrie, who now finds himself in charge of Greenock Morton and is leading them on a push for the playoffs.
This weekend, they get some time off of league action and a free hit at Celtic, with Ange Postecoglou’s side the heavy favourites going into this one.
A few familiar faces will be returning to Glasgow, with ex-players Efe Ambrose and Calvin Miller part of the current Greenock Morton squad.
Dougie Imrie fails in late bid to bring another former Celtic player to Cappielow.
And it now turns out that Imrie was eyeing up another former Celtic man to add to his squad ahead of the trip to Parkhead.
That man being striker Nadir Ciftci, who has also had spells in Scotland with Dundee United, Motherwell and St Johnstone.
Imrie was believed to have agreed on a deal in principle that would see the ex-Celtic frontman spend the rest of the season in the Scottish Championship.
The Morton boss would have also been adding some firepower to his squad for this weekend’s Fourth Round Scottish Cup tie.
However, the club have failed in a late bid to secure the striker’s signature after the SFA refused to hand Ciftci a work permit [Sun Sport].
Morton have since appealed to a ‘Governing Body Endorsement, which was then referred to the Exceptions Panel in accordance with regulation’, but the report confirms that was also rejected.
So, their hopes of signing the man, who only departed St Johnstone last campaign, are believed to be over.
It is a real shame for Ciftci, who would have been looking to make one last return to Scottish Football after his departure from Greek side Makedonikos.
Although Ciftci hasn’t enjoyed much success against the Hoops since his departure from the club, we don’t face the possibility of this old striker coming back to haunt us.
However, I am sure the likes of Efe Ambrose will be keen to put in a performance at Celtic Park and roll back the years.
In other news, Giorgos Giakoumakis weighing up Celtic exit options as strikers agent set for talks.