Celtic transfer state of play as rules change on bad boy Bamba and Andersen offer must be 'extraordinary'

The 24-year-old striker was heavily linked with a move to the Scottish champions after a disappointing season in Ligue 1

Under-fire Mohamed Bamba has been allowed to return to full training with Lorient after the Celtic target was dumped for a breach of discipline.

And he is likely to remain with the Ligue 1 side after their top striker picked up an injury. Celtic have also been linked with Kieron Bowie and Callum Wilson as Martin O'Neill desperately seeks firepower.

Twenty-four-year-old striker Bamba has been heavily linked with a move to the Premiership champions after a disappointing season in Ligue 1 where he netted just one goal in 15 appearances. And he was omitted from the Lorient squad at the weekend for their Coupe de France victory against Hauts Lyonnais.

Lorient manager Olivier Pantaloni explained: "It was simply a minor sanction for a lack of group discipline. Repeated lapses have led me to believe that, at a certain point, to perform well, one must also adhere to the discipline we've established. There have been a few shortcomings in this regard and he has been sanctioned for them."

However, Bamba appears to have been fully forgiven and was back training with the Lorient squad ahead of Friday's game against Monaco. And any deal is unlikely before the game, after Lorient striker Sambou Soumano picked up a knee knock and could miss the match.

Pantaloni said: "Sambou still has some discomfort in his knee. So, we’ll see how it develops."

Meanwhile, Celtic and Rangers have been warned it would take an 'extraordinary offer' to land Hacken talent Silas Andersen.

Both Glasgow giants have been linked with a move for the 21-year-old Danish midfielder, who impressed in Swedish football last season.

The ex-Utrecht star developed into a key man for the Gothenburg club and has attracted interest from Scotland and other clubs in Europe.

However, Hacken sports director Martin Ericsson has insisted his club are in no rush to sell their main asset, who still has two years left of his contract.

He said: "Our ambition is that Silas Andersen stays with us. Of course, we also know that there may be offers for this young, very talented player that could result in a transfer. However, it would have to be something extraordinary for Silas to leave Hacken this month. And there have so far been no concrete offers for him yet."

Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.

You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Celtic page and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.

We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.

Click here to read article