27-year-old international defender plans to be at Celtic by deadline day

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Published on:

11 Jul 2016, 11:20 am

By Tom Blackburn

Celtic defender Efe Ambrose says he has no plans to leave the club despite rumours that he is surplus to requirements.

Football Insider reported last week that German giants Bayer Leverkusen were lining up a £1.5million swoop for the Nigerian.

However, in an interview with the Scottish Daily Record Ambrose said he loves the club and wants to remain an integral part of it beyond this summer's transfer window.

"Celtic is a place I really love - and I want to be part of it. There no place like home - and Celtic is home for me," Ambrose said.

"I'm ready to do everything to remain here and continue playing here. You can see the philosophy of the team, the history, the objective of this group.

"That is what means so much to me," he continued. "It's one thing that every player dreams of, to play for a club like Celtic. It was a dream for me."

The Hoops number four made 31 appearances for The Hoops in 2015-16 but is considered expendable by new manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Scottish Sun claim that the 27-year-old Nigeria international is unlikely to feature in Rodgers' long-term plans, with Dedryck Boyata, Jozo Simunovic and Charlie Mulgrew all considered ahead of him in the centre-back pecking order.

However, Boyata and Simunovic are currently injured until August and Mulgrew's future is in doubt amid a contract stalemate, meaning Ambrose could be needed to temporarily fill the void.

Celtic could then cash in on Ambrose when they have brought in defensive reinforcements.

Rodgers has been linked with been linked with a number of new centre-backs, including Kolo Toure and Blackburn's Euro 2016 star Shane Duffy.

Ambrose, who signed for the Hoops four years ago from Israeli side F.C. Ashdod, is yet to team-up with the rest of the Celtic squad in Slovenia due to visa issues.

The Super Eagle has earned 51 caps for his national side, as well as making 166 appearances for Celtic in four years and this experience could prove vital.

In other Celtic news, they will keep hold of a £10million star if he convinces Rodgers during pre-season.

Bayer Leverkusen

Celtic

Efe Ambrose