FORMER Celtic striker Pierre van Hooijdonk today insisted there has been no interest from the Parkhead side in Nadir Ciftci – as the Dundee United striker faces up to what could be a lengthy lay-off.

Ciftci and Jim McAlister clashed on the last day of the season in the Tayside derby, and the 23-year-old Turk was accused of biting the Dundee player.

The Tannadice star will now have to defend himself at an SFA hearing on July 20 against allegations that he sank his teeth into McAlister's leg.

Ciftci, who recently turned down a contract extension that would have tied him to Dundee United beyond 2016, faces a long ban if found guilty of any biting charge.

He has received a Notice of Complaint from the SFA over accusations that he was guilty of “excessive misconduct”.

And that could cool any interest from Celtic, who have been keeping tabs on the player.

Van Hooijdonk, who acts as the player’s agent, was dismissive, however, over suggestions of contact between Celtic and Ciftci.

“There has never been any formal interest from Celtic,” he maintained as the player comes to terms with the SFA hearing.

United have already stated their position that Ciftci is innocent despite McAlister’s claims to the contrary and released a statement last night.

“Dundee United confirms it has received a Notice of Complaint from the Compliance Officer in relation to an alleged breach of Disciplinary Rule 202 by striker Nadir Ciftci in the SPFL Premiership fixture versus Dundee on Sunday 24th May,” it read.

“The club will review the evidence ahead of the deadline on Thursday 25th June once it has received the full documentation from the Scottish FA.”

Meanwhile, Celtic have cut their losses on striker Teemu Pukki and agreed a deal to allow the player to sign for Brondby on a permanent deal.

The Parkhead side have accepted an offer of just under £500,000 for the player who never managed to hold down a regular first-team place at the club.

And left-back Mitchell Dijks is still on Celtic’s radar. The 22-year-old, who is in the final year of his contract at Willem II, was the subject of a formal offer from Celtic last month.

The Parkhead’s side offer of €2m euros was accepted but Ajax, who had a 50% clause inserted into the defender’s contract when he left the Amsterdam ArenA to go to Willem, are also in dialogue with the player.

However, personal terms have not been reached and Celtic are continuing to keep tabs on the situation.