Ronny Deila has not ruled out Celtic making an audacious play for Norwegian wonderkid Martin Odegaard.

The 15-year-old has been tracked by Europe's premier clubs ahead of the January transfer window, with Liverpool closing in on him.

The Stromsgodset midfielder became the youngest-ever player to feature in a European Championship qualifier in October when he made his full international debut for Norway against Bulgaria, prompting widespread recognition.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are among those clubs who have courted the player, but Deila - who helped play an integral part in the teenager's development by giving him his first-team debut at Stromsgodset - is keeping close tabs on the situation.

It would be an exceptional long shot for Celtic to compete for the youngster's affections with Europe's big guns, but Deila wouldn't entirely rule out trying to entice the player to Glasgow.

"He is a very good player but we have to stand in line - there are 20 clubs, maybe more, who want him," said the Celtic manager. "He has been to clubs all over Europe - to Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Dortmund and Liverpool. PSG wanted him, but he hasn't had time to visit so there is some hard competition.

"I have control over that situation, I know what is happening there. This is more about his choices.

"What is his thinking now - is it to go to a big club and try to break in there and go through that road, or go to a smaller club in not such a good league, but it makes it easier to get into the first-team?"

And while Deila was reluctant to say whether or not a player of such talent would fit into his first-team immediately, he did admit the midfielder is worthy of the reputation that now goes before him.

There have, of course, been others who have exploded into the game with massive expectations only to slip by the wayside.

Deila, though, believes Odegaard has something quite exceptional.

"It's very hard to say," said Deila when asked whether or not the player would be in Celtic's first-team now.

"He's only 15, will be 16 later this month, but he is very special and every time he gets to a new level, he takes his chance. His attitude is great. He's special."

When pressed to elaborate on what Deila's control of the situation is, the Hoops boss was enigmatic in his response, although his answer did reveal that he would expect any success with the player to be something of a long shot.

"I know what's happening," he said. "He's in the town where my kids live and I know a lot of people there. We'll see. If there are possibilities, of course, we will try it. But it's very hard competition.

"I think it is up to Marten. If he chooses Real Madrid, it would be what they want to pay. If he chooses Celtic, then there are different prices. He has one year left on his contract and I think it's important Stromsgodset get money back for him."