CELTIC are stepping up their efforts to sign Filipe Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers on permanent deals.
The Hoops hierarchy have already opened talks with their clubs Benfica and Spurs with the Parkhead club ready to trigger the option-to-buy clauses for both the Portuguese winger and US international centre-back with both players impressing boss Ange Postecoglou.
Jota is rated at £6.5million by the Lisbon giants with the exciting winger currently back in the Portuguese capital to have his injury assessed after he was forced to sit out seven games following his apparent hamstring problem in the 1-0 win over Hearts in Glasgow on December 2.
SHOOTING STAR…Filipe Jota celebrates one of his Celtic goals.
A BIG HAND…Cameron Carter-Vickers applauds the Celtic fans after a win over Motherwell at Fir Park.
An initial fee of £6million is in the agreement of Carter-Vickers’ temporary transfer until the end of the season. The powerhouse back-four performer has become key man in Postecoglou’s plans.
The Greek-Australian gaffer has brought in 15 players since his arrival in June and former Hoops right-back Mark Wilson reckons the club obviously trust Neil Lennon’s successor in his signing judgements.
The ex-defender said: “Jota has been a player who has lit up Scottish football since he’s arrived.
“He’s been sensational and because that option was put in place to sign him permanently, it just makes sense to go ahead and do it.
“It’s not as if he’s going to have such a poor second half of the season that Celtic wouldn’t want to do it.”
Wilson, speaking to Sky Sports News, added: “I’ve also been really impressed by Carter-Vickers. He has improved the team in an area they needed cover.
“He was the exact type of player that was needed and his performances speak for themselves.”
