NEIL LENNON has stepped up his mission to recruit another striker in time to face Elfsborg on Wednesday.

But despite pulling out all the stops as they prepare to say goodbye to Norwich-bound Gary Hooper, Celtic are being frustrated by reluctance of other clubs to do any business so early in the window.

Lennon has long-since established his targets, and quickly got Amido Balde, Virgil van Dijk and Steven Mouyokolo on board.

Now he is anxious to push on with phase two of his recruitment plan.

Top of the shopping list is a goal scorer to replace Hooper, who is negotiating personal terms with Norwich after the Canaries hijacked QPR's bid to take the striker south.

Boss Harry Redknapp believed he was close to getting the striker with QPR agreeing to meet the £5million asking price.

However, the delay in agreeing terms with the player's representatives opened the door for a late swoop by Norwich, who had made a series of attempts to sign Hooper in January.

Now, with another healthy cheque about to land in Celtic's bank account – they have more than doubled the £2.4m they paid Scunthorpe for Hooper three years ago – Lennon's budget has been increased.

He wanted another striking option, even if Hooper, who was reported to have come through his medical at Norwich, stayed.

And he is also in the market for a creative midfielder, cover at left-back, and a left-sided attacking midfielder.

Head talent-spotter, John Park, has delivered a dossier of possibilities, and they have now been whittled down to an elite list. Lennon has pushed the button on a number of these targets, and is awaiting replies from the players and their clubs.

Hamburg's Latvian hitman, Artjoms Rudnevs, appears to have removed himself from the list as he is reluctant to leave the Bundesliga.

But Celtic have not given up hope of forcing a change of mind, though persuading Hamburg to drop their £4.5m asking price would be the next challenge.

Evian's Saber Khelifa could be an alternative, if Rudnevs is a definite no-go. But the Tunisian is in dispute with the French club and may be well short of fitness.

Despite reports Lennon is still interested in January loan target Kevin Doyle, sources at Wolves have confirmed there has been no contact from the Hoops during this window.

Molineux boss, Kenny Jackett, has made it clear the 29-year-old is behind at least four other strikers at the club.

But the Irishman is on £40,000 per week, and that puts him outwith the range of most clubs.

Although the deadline for registering the squad for the third qualifying round games against Elfsborg passed at 11pm last night, Celtic can still register one more player up until 11pm on Tuesday.

And Lennon has vowed to work right up until then.

Off the park, Celtic have warned their fans they will not tolerate a repeat of the fireworks violation which occurred during this week's win over Cliftonville.

Uefa have charged the Hoops for the offence, noted by the fourth official mid-way through the second half of Tuesday's match at Parkhead. The case will be heard on August 22, and a fine is the likely punishment if found guilty.