CELTIC were today attempting to make one last-gasp attempt to find a striker before tonight's 11pm deadline.

The Hoops were forced to go back to the drawing board after Stefan Scepovic went back on his word about moving to Parkhead, a decision which has left the Scottish champions disgusted. Manager Ronny Deila still wants to try and recruit a striker with a physical presence before the window closes for four months.

But the clock is against them after Scepovic took them almost to the wire before his U-turn.

It is understood third-party ownership may have become an issue just as the Hoops prepared to conclude the £3million transfer The Serbian had agreed personal terms on a five-year contract after Sporting Gijon had accepted Celtic's bid for the striker.

The 24-year-old had undergone a medical in Madrid on Saturday, and told Hoops representatives there to oversee it that he was still very keen to join Ronny Deila's club, even though they had failed to get through to the Champions League.

Celtic had secured the final piece of paperwork required, a work permit, and were set to unveil the player today.

He would have been Deila's first purchase, and the manager was eager to include him in a side which currently lacks punch.

Now, instead of providing this, Scepovic has delivered a heavy blow to the Hoops' solar plexus.

Before receiving the news the Serb was pulling out, Deila had said: "I believe Stefan will make the squad better and the team better because we need a target player who is good at winning crosses.

"We need someone to be more of a No.9, and that will be good for us."

Now that hunt has to start all over again.

Players who are not registered with a club at the transfer deadline are still eligible to be signed.

But squads for the Europa League Group Stage must be registered with Uefa by tomorrow night.

Dundee United's midfielder Stuart Armstrong is tipped to be a late transfer-window target for the Hoops.

But with Scepovic failing to sign, Deila believes it is more important than ever Celtic retain the talent they already have.

Some fringe players could be on their way out - either on loan or on permanent deals - with representatives of Amido Balde and Teemu Pukki working hard to get them to clubs where they will enjoy more game time.

Icelandic striker Holmbert Fridjonsson was the first to move out, heading to Brondby in Denmark on a season-long loan, and he was followed by Dylan McGeouch, who has moved to Hibs on loan until the end of the season.

But the manager is confident Virgil van Dijk - left out of the side for yesterday's 1-1 draw at Dundee - will remain.

He said: "Virgil is an important player, that's why we want to keep him."

Deila had to rely on Leigh Griffiths to get the equalising goal against Dundee, and applauded the contribution made by the player who was the subject of an unsuccessful enquiry from Hibs to take him on loan.

"When Leigh came on, there was more energy in the team," said the manager.

Meanwhile, Charlie Mulgrew appears to be out of Scotland Euro 2016 duty this week after picking up a knee injury in Tuesday's defeat to Maribor.

The Hoops vice-captain sat out yesterday's match at Dundee, and will be withdrawn from Gordon Strachan's squad for Sunday's match against Germany.