EFE AMBROSE will return to Celtic – if Blackburn Rovers fail in their fight against the English FA’s decision to refuse a work permit.
The frozen-out Hoops defender thought he had secured a loan deal with Owen Coyle’s Championship strugglers on January transfer deadline day.
However, Ambrose has had his application rejected because he hasn’t made a sufficient amount of international appearances for Nigeria.
Now the Ewood Park outfit will launch an appeal against the decision, but it cannot be heard until next week.
That has scuppered boss Coyle’s plans of handing Ambrose a dramatic debut in the home FA Cup-tie against Manchester United on Sunday.
The 28-year-old right-back or centre-half has played only twice for the Hoops this season, the last outing coming against Astana in a Champions League qualifier on July 27.
And the unpredictable back-four operator has also dropped out of the reckoning for his country, despite picking up 51 caps.
Unfortunately, the English FA based their ruling on recent appearances and the player has represented his nation only five times over the past two years.
Ex-Hoops boss Neil Lennon signed Ambrose from Israeli side Ashdod in 2012 when his work permit was granted by the SFA on account of his international experience after he made his debut in 2008.
Ambrose is now likely to see out his contract, which is due to expire in June, at the Scottish champions.
