CELT KNOCKS BACK LOAN BID

The Fife club were forced to play forward Ryan Stevenson in goal in their 1-0 league defeat to Ayr United last night after failing to get the game called off because of injuries to their three registered keepers.

With Kevin Cuthbert and Aaron Lennox already absent, a weekend injury to Conor Brennan left new boss John Hughes without a fit shotstopper for the match.

Raith have already used the maximum number of loans this season, but SPFL rules allow for a goalkeeper to be brought in on loan under “exceptional circumstances”.

Hughes’ choice was to go for the former Belgian international who is behind Craig Gordon and Dorus de Vries in the pecking order at Parkhead.

However, the 31-year-old ex-Borussia Monchengladbach goalie turned them down.

Club secretary Eric Drysdale said: “Our preference was to find an over-21 goalkeeper with experience and John Hughes was on the phone to Brendan Rodgers during the English League Cup Final game.

“Celtic were very helpful to us. A player was put our way. That was to be done on Monday, but we were, meanwhile, making enquiries of other clubs and other agents to see, in case this deal fell through, we had somebody else to come in.

“But the main focus was on the Celtic player.

“Everything was tied up, but suddenly the Celtic goalkeeper was non-contactable.

“John Collins was acting on our behalf trying to speak to the player, trying to persuade him to come down to the Championship.

“But, ultimately, the player decided he didn’t want to do that.

“Unfortunately, he didn’t decide that until 9pm. We were working up until 9pm to get it over the line, and it fell through.”

Bailly has made just five appearances for the Hoops since moving from Belgian side Leuven in the summer of 2015.

The champions already have 23-year-old Italian keeper Leo Fasan on a temporary deal at Port Vale until the end of the season.

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