SHAUN MALONEY could be the next player to sign a pre-contract agreement with Celtic.

The Hoops have secured Dundee United's Gary Mackay-Steven on a pre-contract, but will now push to try and get the Wigan Athletic winger into the squad before the transfer window closes at the end of this month.

Maloney, whose proposed move to Leicester broke down on Thursday night, is believed to have intimated to sources close to the Parkhead club that he would be receptive to a move back to Glasgow.

However, with Wigan looking to command a fee of around £1million for the player, it is likely Celtic would opt to wait and take him to the club at the end of the season.

And that could be a warning shot to John Guidetti after Hoops boss Ronny Deila warned the on-loan striker he has other irons in the fire if the Swede doesn't want to stay on a permanent basis.

The 22-year-old forward is still mulling over an offer Celtic have put to him to make his stay in Glasgow a permanent one.

The on-loan Manchester City player is free to speak to other clubs but, having already secured a fee with the Premiership club for his services, Celtic would appear to be in pole position to land the striker - if he wants to stay.

Guidetti, who has scored 11 goals this season, boasted last week that he fancied a hat-trick against Rangers in the Old Firm League Cup semi-final clash at Hampden, has been warned the Parkhead side will not wait indefinitely for an answer.

Deila said: "Celtic also has options, it's not all one-way. We have to work to get Guidetti, but he also has to be happy that we want him. It works two ways always.

"Playing at Celtic is a big thing and you can see that with other players who want to play for us.

"We have to look at different options if it doesn't happen but, hopefully, it happens and I'm positive we can do it.

"Do I have other options? Yes. But, anyway, John is going to be here until the end of the season, so it's not like we are losing him on February 1."

Reports from Belgium claim Celtic are vying with Standard Liege for the capture of Israeli forward Tal Ben Haim.

The 25-year-old's club, Maccabi Tel Aviv, are already considering an offer of £1.5m from Liege.

But they believe a clutch of other clubs, including the Hoops, are monitoring the full international, who can play wide or behind the main striker.

Deila has started to clear the way for new arrivals, with Jo Inge Berget having had his loan deal cut short. Cardiff have now cancelled the Norwegian's contract.

Celtic have also released youngsters Paul George and Marcus Fraser, while Stuart Findlay has been sent to Dumbarton on loan.