Alfie Devine appears to have directly addressed reports linking him with Celtic after completing a move to Preston North End.
The midfielder, who was on loan at Deepdale from Tottenham last season, has now made his move permanent after spending a month in transfer limbo.
Celtic have been linked with Devine for several months, and the hold-up in the permanent move led many to believe that a move to Glasgow could be possible.
However, the 21-year-old has now confirmed that a return to Preston was always his first priority.
Is Alfie Devine the kind of player you want to see Celtic sign?
Alfie Devine on his Preston decision: ‘Don’t believe everything you read’
Posting on his Instagram after his return to the Championship club, Devine wrote: “Delighted to be back here permanently! Can’t wait to get started again and see all you fans at Deepdale.
“Don’t believe everything you read…”
READ MORE: Liam Scales set to miss Celtic action through unserved suspension
Speaking to the Preston media channels, he said: “From the end of last season going into the summer, it was always a priority in terms of where I wanted to be.
“It took its time, but I’m delighted it’s gone through. From the first minute I came here until my last minute of last season, I absolutely loved it.
“The fans, staff, players, everyone around the place made me feel so welcome.”
Talk of the Hoops’ interest in Devine first emerged when Martin O’Neill and Mark Fotheringham attended Preston’s clash with QPR earlier this year.
It later emerged that the 21-year-old midfielder was on the club’s shortlist, with journo Alan Nixon reporting last week Devine’s agents have strong links to Celtic.
Instead, he has agreed a £6 million move to Deepdale, despite interest from promotion-chasing clubs in England’s second tier as well as the Hoops.
🚫 He has an unserved ban from last season…
Who comes in?
Midfielders expected to leave Celtic this summer
After serious interest in January, Arne Engels is now expected to leave Celtic, with a host of European clubs chasing the 22-year-old.
Reo Hatate was left out of the matchday squad for the final two games of last season, with the writing seemingly on the wall regarding his future. Paulo Bernardo was also completely out of favour.
A stellar debut season by Benjamin Nygren is also generating interest, and a rapid exit hasn’t been ruled out for the Hoops’ top scorer.
Even captain McGregor hasn’t ruled out an exit, though he has begun pre-season with business as usual
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