CELTIC have been linked with a summer move for Armenian playmaker Eduard Spertsyan.
The Krasnodar star was previously mentioned with a £13million move to Newcastle United and Ajax last season, but his price has dropped since then.
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And reports in Russia have claimed the Hoops have been monitoring the 23-year-old, who has 25 caps for his country.
Spertsyan is regarded as the star man of the Armenian national team after making the breakthrough and becoming the youngest-ever Armenian player to feature in the Champions League.
He scored home and away for his country against Ireland two years ago to secure famous wins for the former Soviet nation and was tipped to seal a big-money move, but any interest came to nothing.
And he recently made clear his ambition is still to move.
He said: “Yes I want to play in Europe soon, but I know I’ve got to fight and work for it.
“I don’t want to leave here by running away or with a helicopter!
“I like being at Krasnodar, but I want to try to go to Europe while I have the chance, I don’t know what can happen there. I’m confident and I think I can achieve even bigger goals.”
He still has two years left on his deal at Krasnodar.
Celtic, meanwhile, eased to a 3-0 win at Livingston on Sunday.
After a Jamie Brandon own goal, Paulo Bernardo and Matt O’Riley both struck to send the Hoops back to the top of the table.
Banned boss Brendan Rodgers watched on from the stands with the win ensuring Celtic will head into next week’s huge Old Firm clash with Rangers in first position.
Rodgers will be back in the dugout at Ibrox after serving a one-match touchline suspension.
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