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Celtic attacker transfer should be done by the end of the week - report
By Alex Stevens
Dundee United are hopeful of completing the signing of Gary Mackay-Steven from Celtic by the end of the week, according to a report.
The Dundee Evening Telegraph claim the Scottish Championship club are making solid progress in their sensational bid to re-sign the attacking midfielder.
It is said that talks over loaning Mackay-Steven from Celtic for the rest of the season have been taking place for over a week and are progressing smoothly.
There have been reports elsewhere that Mackay-Stevens’ wages could be the stumbling block to a deal but the Dundee Evening Telegraph state that “United are happy to meet the financial package it would take to get the winger in their ranks” and “if all goes to plan, he will be back at the club by the end of the week”.
There is a possibility that Mackay-Steven will be re-signed in time to feature in Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie at Ross County.
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The final decision will rest with the player, with the Scotland international yet to indicate if he will give the green light to the transfer.
Mackay-Steven has been a fringe player at Celtic this season after missing pre-season due to injury and has made just four appearances in all competitions.
Since joining from Dundee United in the January window of 2015, the Scot has scored 10 goals and provided 11 assists in 56 matches in all competitions.
Football Insider verdict:
Celtic should send Mackay-Steven out on loan in January with a view to selling him at the end of the season. The 26-year-old is a class act on the ball but lacks the intensity and energy needed to be a Brendan Rodgers favourite. He could benefit from returning to the familiar surrounding of Dundee and needs to be playing regular football, something that is nigh on impossible at Celtic. The winger is currently behind Scott Sinclair, James Forrest and Patrick Roberts in the pecking order for wide roles at Parkhead and there is no chance of him leapfrogging that trio any time soon.
In other Celtic transfer news, four Premier League giants have entered the race to sign the club’s emerging star.
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