RACE FOR HOOPS TARGET HOTS UP

CELTIC are preparing to step up their bid for Slovan Bratislava striker Andraz Sporar.

There is growing interest in the hitman – as CQN reported – and English Championship outfit Bristol City have now joined Dynamo Kiev in the hunt for the prolific forward.

Parkhead chiefs held preliminary talks with the Slovakian club last week and are set to get back around the table in the forthcoming days.

Sporar is rated by the Hoops in the £5.5million bracket although Slovan have tried to instigate a bidding war for the player they see as worth around £7million.

The 25-year-old attacker is in demand after claiming 20 goals in 26 appearances this season in the domestic competitions and the Europa League.

Neil Lennon has already admitted Sporar is on his radar and said last week: “He’s one of a number of options we are talking to at the minute.”

The Hoops gaffer is struggled for reinforcements in attack and urgently requires back-up to Odsonne Edouard with Leigh Griffiths and Vakoun Issouf Bayo contributing only four goasl between them in this campaign.

* HAPPY New Year, folks, from the CQN team. We hope 2020 is prosperous and peaceful for you and yours.