CELTIC have signed Derry City wing ace Paddy McCourt, prompting renewed speculation that they will cash in on Ireland winger Aiden McGeady who is now wanted by Spurs as well as Sunderland and Newcastle United.

The Irish star, rated at over ?15 million, is more likely than ever now to leave Parkhead after the arrival of Derry City flyer McCourt.

Spurs boss Juande Ramos has joined Sunderland’s Roy Keane and Newcastle’s Kevin Keegan on the McGeady chase.

Ramos will rebuild his White Hart Lane squad this summer as he looks forward to his first full season in charge of Tottenham.

Irish captain Robbie Keane is one of only a handful of players who have been told their Spurs future is secure.

And McGeady is the winger Ramos wants to build a team capable of challenging the big four when the Premier League season kicks-off in August.

“Tottenham want McGeady and they have the financial clout to win this battle,” revealed a Spurs source.

“They can offer straight cash or a cash plus players deal. Either way they want to bring McGeady down to English football from Scotland.”

McCourt’s arrival in a record eircom League deal from Derry has heightened speculation that McGeady will be sold by Bhoys boss Gordon Strachan.

The Northern Ireland international completed the fine details of his shock move on Friday afternoon and will report back to Celtic for pre-season training early next month.

“I am still in dreamland but I am determined to make the most of this unexpected chance,” McCourt told Star Sunday.

“Standing on that pitch on Friday it was just incredible to think that I was standing there as a Celtic player. I’m still in dreamland to be honest with you.

“I’ve been there as a Celtic fan, I know that the club is more a way of life than a football team and I know what it means to so many people so to be sitting on the other side of the fence now is just awesome.

“To get an opportunity to play for a club like Celtic is just fantastic for me. It’s a few days now since I knew it was about to happen but there is still a huge buzz about the move, for me and my family and for everyone I’ve met since I got back to Derry.

“I know the challenge that’s ahead of me,” claimed McCourt. “My first target is to get a good pre-season under my belt. I’ve been out for seven weeks or so now with a back injury so I need to get my fitness levels up.

“Whatever comes my way I’ll be ready for it, no matter how hard the running is! Then I’ll be going all out to get into the Celtic team.”

Celtic will play two games at the Brandywell as part of the McCourt deal.

Birmingham have rejected a bid of £5.5 million, plus central defender Bobo Balde, for striker James McFadden from Celtic.

Poland midfielder Mariusz Lewandowski has revealed he would love to play for Celtic if they follow up their interest in the Shaktar Donetsk player.

Lewandowski told the Evening Times, “I’m on holiday just now, but there are people dealing with this situation who I trust. Celtic are a big club and play regularly in the Champions League, so it would be a good place to play my football.”

Celtic are also interested in Spartak Moscow’s Austria defender Martin Stranzl, according to the player’s agent.

Midfielder Thomas Gravesen could be set to stay at Parkhead and fight for selection in the final year of his contract when he returns from a loan spell at Everton.

Source :[Irish Voice]