Now Celtic want Wily Boo...

Tuesday, 20 January 2004
Celtic are believed to be ready to challenge a host of Premiership clubs for the signature of Preston's highly-rated striker Ricardo Fuller. The Jamaican star has been in outstanding form this season with 17 goals in just 24 games and his displays have not gone unnoticed.

The likes of Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Fulham, Portsmouth, Charlton and Blackburn have been keeping a close eye on Fuller in recent weeks and could be tempted to make an offer before the transfer window closes at the end of January.

Preston are desperately trying to get the 24-year-old to extend his current deal, which has 18 months to run, but Fuller wants Premiership football and a move could be imminent.

Celtic are also believed to be keeping tabs on a player they first looked at whilst he was plying his trade in the SPL with Hearts.

Preston beat them to the punch when they grabbed him in the summer of 2002, but with the futures of Henrik Larsson, John Hartson and Chris Sutton in varying degrees of doubt, a new striker may well be top of Martin O'Neill's shopping list.

Some clubs would be keener than others to push through a deal now and it remains to be seen whether Preston could fend off any major bids in the next few weeks.

The player's agent Phil Graham refused to confirm any interest in his client, only stating his client's desire for top-flight football.

'Ricardo wants to play in The Premiership,' he told skysports.com. 'It is as simple as that.

'But, while he is with Preston, he will always give 100 percent.'