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Transfer news: Celtic hope to sign John Guidetti on a permanent contract

John Guidetti: Celtic striker scores his latest goal against Kilmarnock
Image: John Guidetti: Celtic striker scores his latest goal against Kilmarnock

Celtic manager Ronny Deila has revealed he hopes to sign on-loan Manchester City striker John Guidetti on a permanent contract.

The 22-year-old has been an instant hit at Celtic Park, scoring five goals in seven appearances since his arrival at the end of August.

We are talking to everybody around him and to him also, and he is positive. His contract with City is only to the end of the season so we hope to do that as quickly as possible.
Ronny Deila

Guidetti netted his latest goal in Celtic’s 2-0 Scottish Premiership victory over Kilmarnock on Sunday, and Deila is delighted to be finally working with the Swede.

"I saw him play many times for Manchester City Under-20s and you could see the character he had," said the Norwegian. "I wanted to bring him to Stromsgodset when he was 18 or 19 but I am happy to work with him now.

Confidence

"He has been very good from day one. His confidence is fantastic and he has the values we are looking for at the club.

"This looks like his home. Celtic and John are suited together and we want to continue with that. I hope he stays here and we will do everything we can to make him become a Celtic player permanently.

"We are talking to everybody around him and to him also, and he is positive. His contract with City is only to the end of the season so we hope to do that as quickly as possible.

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"Goal scorers are very hard to find and he is a goal scorer. Also his attitude is everything I like in a person. He lifts the whole group and he produces. I get energy from being with him - he is a good singer also."

Goal scorers are very hard to find and John is a goal scorer. Also his attitude is everything I like in a person
Ronny Deila

Deila has been delighted with Guidetti’s attitude, and insists he has no issue with the player targeting a clean sweep of trophies this season.

Celtic return to League Cup action on Wednesday with a Glasgow derby against Partick Thistle in the quarter-final of the competition.

"It is very important that we have high ambitions," Deila said. "I want players who want to be the best.

"If you play for Celtic you have to have views like that, that you are going to progress and you are going to be as good as you can be.

Fantastic

"John is a fantastic player, a fantastic person, he believes in himself, believes in the team and loves to play at Celtic. So I love it when he is having those thoughts about us.

"I hope everybody here wants to win the treble and of course the Europa League is a very hard task but everything is possible.

"And you have to believe. If you don't believe, nothing will happen. But we have to take one game at a time and the next is Patrick Thistle on Wednesday and we have to focus on that."

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