DAVIE MOYES has been linked with a summer swoop for Celtic’s frozen-out defender Efe Ambrose.
The versatile Nigerian international is running down his Hoops’ contract while on loan at Hibs until the end of the season.
Sunderland boss Moyes was reported to have travelled to Tannadice on Friday evening to watch the 28-year-old in action in the Easter Road side’s 1-0 win over Dundee United.
The Scot is under pressure as the Black Cats are anchored at the foot of the Premier League on 19 points, eight adrift of fifth-bottom Swansea.
Moyes faces the possibility of losing French-born Ivory Coast international defender Lamine Kone if the club topple out of the top flight.
Crystal Palace – managed by the player’s ex-Stadium of Light gaffer Sam Allardyce – Leicester City and Everton have all been linked with the 28-year-old stopper.
Moyes could view Ambrose as the ideal replacement, especially as he will be a free agent in June after five years at Parkhead.
The unpredictable back-four operator has made only two first team appearances for Brendan Rodgers, the last coming against Astana in a Champions League qualifier in July.
Ambrose, who cost £750,000 when Neil Lennon bought him from Israeli outfit FC Ashdod, ran into work permit problems in January when it looked as though he would spend the remainder of the campaign at Championship strugglers Blackburn Rovers.
Ewood Park boss Owen Coyle said the team would come back in for him in the summer and was confident they could overcome red-tape difficulties.
However, he was sacked last month with former Celtic manager Tony Mowbray taking over and it looks as though that door is now closed to the 51-times capped right-back or centre-half.
Ex-Everton and Manchester United chief Moyes now looks ready to step in to resolve Ambrose’s future.
