Celtic manager Neil Lennon expects Aiden McGeady to make a swift decision over his prospective move to Spartak Moscow.
McGeady is due to have talks with the Russian club after Celtic accepted a substantial bid for the winger believed to be close to £10million. Aston Villa have been linked with the Republic of Ireland international all summer but manager Martin O'Neill does not have the funds to sign his former player unless he brings transfer cash in.
"As far as I know he was travelling on Tuesday to speak to Moscow and have a look at the club and the surroundings and take things from there," Lennon said. "This has dragged on a bit longer than what we wanted. I would like to think that we would get a definitive idea after this."
Lennon anticipates being allowed to re-invest all of the money received from Moscow should McGeady take up the offer.
"I would like to think we would get all of it," said the former Celtic captain, who is looking for a goalkeeper and forward player. "What comes in goes back out on the football side of things. That's been made clear.
"It's up to me whether I want to spend that amount or not. "I think we need a couple of areas to improve the squad but I don't think it will take all that money to do that."
McGeady's absence comes as Celtic bid to turn around a 3-0 deficit against Braga in the Champions League qualifiers at Parkhead on Wednesday night but Lennon had not made plans around the 24-year-old.
"He hasn't been played much part in pre-season," the Celtic boss said. "He didn't go to America and he only played 55 minutes in the Emirates Cup."
Meanwhile, Celtic have confirmed that Finland manager Stuart Baxter would not be taking up an official role with the club.
A club read: "As agreed with the Finnish FA, following further discussions, Stuart will not take up any formal position with Celtic Football Club. We would like to take the opportunity to wish Stuart and the Finnish FA every success in their forthcoming European Championship campaign."
Source: PA
