Celtic to keep Dani as de la Pena moves on

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed that Dani's stay at Parkhead will be extended by another week - but Ivan de la Pena…

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed that Dani's stay at Parkhead will be extended by another week - but Ivan de la Pena is set to snub the Hoops for a move to the Middle East.

The duo, who are available because they are out of contract, took part in a closed doors game against Livingston at New Broomfield yesterday and the Celtic manager is keen to have another look at Portuguese forward Dani, who is still short of match fitness.

He said: "Dani will stay with us for another week because I want to prolong his training and get him another game. You can't fully assess a player in just one game.

"There is work required on Dani's match fitness but that is no surprise because his agent Rob Jansen told us that was the case."

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But de la Pena's agent has revealed that a money-spinning offer from Qatar means the former Spanish international is unlikely to remain in the east end of Glasgow.

Manuel Ferrer told the Scottish Sun: "Martin O'Neill offered a deal until the end of the season. We spent many hours of negotiations trying to reach an agreement but we could not finalise anything.

"Ivan felt very happy at Celtic Park but the offer we have received from Qatar is too good to turn down. Martin told me he could not pay that kind of money."