EX-CELT IN TRANSFER TUG-OF-WAR

FREE agent Craig Gordon, who left Celtic at the end of his contract earlier this month, is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war.

The 37-year-old former Scotland international keeper is still wanted by Hoops boss Neil Lennon.

However, Gordon, who has spent the last six years at Parkhead, insists there has been no new offer from the champions after he rejected their initial proposal.

Now Derby County are showing an interest in the towering shotstopper as their first-choice shotstopper Ben Hamer is preparing to return to Huddersfield after his loan deal expired, as reported in the Daily Record.

Hamer was signed as cover after ex-England No.1 Scott Carson agreed a season-long temporary contract at Manchester City. Pep Guardiola is expected to move for another lengthy extension which would leave the English Championship outfit short of a netminder.

Hearts are keen to offer their former keeper a two-year contract at Tynecastle, but Gordon has already rejected a chance to join St Mirren.

He made only six appearances for the champions last term, the last coming in the 2-0 Europa League Group B loss in Romania to Cluj in December.