Celtic target's manager confirms player has been transfer listed

Reported Celtic transfer target Sam Johnstone has been told he can leave current club Wolves by head coach Cesar Peixoto.

The former England international has been linked with a more to the Bhoys, likely available on a relatively cheap deals after being replaced at Molineux in this window.

Celtic need a new goalkeeper to replace Kasper Schmeichel, who retired at the end of last season, but it's likely they will only move to sign a back-up goalkeeper and someone who can compete with Viljami Sinisalo, who looks to have done enough to convince Martin O'Neill that he is ready to be a starter.

Sinisalo probably should have done better for Falkirk's goal over the weekend, but he has largely been very consistent. Johnstone could come in to provide competition for Sinisalo and serve as a back-up, but the Wolves star will feel as though he can be a starter, still only 33 years of age.

That's something Celtic would need to work out if they were to push ahead with a deal, and they are running out time to complete a goalkeeper signing ahead of the deadline, which is at 5pm on Wednesday, while the UEFA squad deadline is at 11pm on Tuesday night.

In the meantime, Wolves head coach Peixoto has made it clear that Johnstone is available for transfer.

Peixoto said: "I have the same conversations and the same honesty with Sam I have with all the players. Before they are a player, they are a man, with families and kids. We have to respect the person. I have to talk with them honestly and tell them what is my decision or that of the club to build a strong team.

“Sometimes you have to take difficult decisions in order to build a better team or good group. All the time I am very clear, honest and direct with the players and all the people in the club. He (Johnstone) is still training with the team but won’t be part of the team for the future."