Celtic’s Neil Lennon keen on double Irish swoop

The Old Firm club are planning an ambitious loan move for Aston Villa's Richard Dunne and Stephen Ireland, according to reports.

Celtic have been strongly linked with Stephen Ireland throughout the transfer window in a deal that would see them pay at least 50 per cent of the unsettled attacking midfielder's €80,000 pay packet.

Fellow countryman Richard Dunne has also fallen foul of Villa management, and Celtic have purportedly enquired into the former Manchester City man's availability.

Celtic have already made 13 signings this season and are in the midst of landing former Arsenal midfielder and Swedish international Freddie Ljungberg.

Neil Lennon's side are currently two points behind Rangers (who also have a game in hand) in the SPL table