• Celtic act after striker’s move to West Ham collapses
• Scottish club have until midnight to agree a deal

Celtic are on the brink of sealing a dramatic loan move for the Tottenham striker Robbie Keane. The Scottish club moved for Keane after seeing the former Liverpool player’s temporary move to West Ham United fall through.

Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, said he received a phone call alerting him to the possibility of Keane’s move to Celtic at about 5pm. “It looks like it will happen,” Redknapp added. “I think the opportunity is one that he [Keane] wants to take, we don’t want to stand in his way and we are strong in that area.”

It is believed Keane’s arrival would be funded personally by Dermot Desmond, Celtic’s majority shareholder. The Ireland international’s salary is £70,000 a week and it was claimed earlier today that Tottenham were also seeking a £1m loan fee. The collapse of Keane’s move to Upton Park, added to the fact the Scottish transfer window does not close until midnight, opened up an opportunity which Desmond looks like exploiting.

Keane would be the most high-profile arrival in Scottish football since his namesake, Roy, joined Celtic in December 2005.

CelticTottenham HotspurTransfer windowScottish Premier LeaguePremier LeagueEwan Murrayguardian.co.uk