Source: Team_Talk
Hoops' Knowledge bid too late
Celtic have been told they cannot gazump Hoffenheim's attempts to sign Kaizer Chiefs striker Knowledge Musona.[LNB] Celtic have expressed interest in the 21-year-old Zimbabwe forward but he is due to travel to Germany for a trial after he receives a visa on Monday.[LNB]And his club manager, Bobby Motaung, insists the forward will not be derailed from his German trip even if Celtic step up their interest.[LNB]Motaung told Kick Off: "We know there is Celtic's deal coming into play, but firstly Musona is not on auction. Secondly, we are not going to play a pick and choose game or money game.[LNB]"There has been an invitation for the player from Hoffenheim and we are going to follow through that process and we will exhaust that process before we consider any other offer.[LNB]"For now we will park the proposal that has come through. It is only fair for us to act ethically.[LNB]"We will respond accordingly to Celtic and acknowledge their interest, but Musona is not on auction."[LNB]Celtic have also expressed interest in Israel striker Omer Damari but his club may have threatened the deal after revealing details of a proposed agreement, which would see Maccabi Petah Tikvah earn 30% of any future transfer.[LNB]However, Celtic later stressed they had made no bid for the player despite holding talks.[LNB]Meanwhile, Celtic manager Neil Lennon has been denied the chance to see another transfer target in action.[LNB]Central Coast Mariners midfielder Mustafa Amini has been ruled out of the Australian club's pre-season friendly against Celtic with a groin injury.[LNB]Celtic striker Gary Hooper is looking forward to the occasion after recovering from the long journey.[LNB]"Training was tiring," Hooper told www.celticfc.net. "I didn't get much sleep as I am still getting used to it, but it's done now and we improved our fitness from it, and now I am just looking forward to tomorrow.[LNB]"I think my fitness is good just now. Everyone in the squad has returned back really well and really fit.[LNB]"We aren't doing much running, we are just doing football to get our sharpness back, and it's been going really well.[LNB]"I just want to get on the pitch, play a bit of football like we have been doing in training and score some goals.[LNB]"It's important for everyone to play well but for strikers it's also vital to score, and that is my aim. However, the main thing is to get a good result."[LNB]Meanwhile, Celtic have announced a charity legends match against Manchester United at Parkhead on August 9.[LNB]The match will see celebrity fans and former players line up with Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton, Lubo Moravcik and management team Neil Lennon, Johan Mjallby and Alan Thompson featuring against the likes of Teddy Sheringham, Dwight Yorke and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
