Mixed Fortunes For Celtic In Transfer Window

Celtic could not push through the transfer of the one player who arrived at Parkhead on the final day of the transfer window - but managed to sign another player who failed to turn up. Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell started the day in bitterly disappointed mood after Serbia forward Stefan Scepovic pulled out of a move. Lawwell then targeted Manchester City striker John Guidetti, who arrived at Celtic Park for talks. But, in a dramatic twist, Scepovic revived his interest in a move to Celtic and signed the contract that had been prepared for him after he passed a medical and secured a work permit in Paris at the weekend. The 24-year-old, who joined in a £2million-plus deal from Sporting Gijon, had seen an alternative move to Getafe fall through because of Spanish financial fair play rules. Guidetti, who scored 20 goals in 23 appearances for Feyenoord on loan in 2011-12 before injury derailed his career, remained at Parkhead in the evening but a loan deal for the 22-year-old Swede was not completed before the deadline. Celtic did release four strikers with Amido Balde joining Beveren on loan for the season and Teemu Pukki and Holmbert Fridjonsson both moving to Danish side Brondby in similar deals. Bahrudin Atajic, who made four first-team appearances, was released. Celtic held on to Virgil van Dijk on the day the defender earned his first Holland call-up for a friendly against Italy and a European Championship qualifier against the Czech Republic. But another player leaving Celtic was Dylan McGeouch, who moved to Hibernian on loan until the end of the season. Hibs, who failed in a bid to re-sign Leigh Griffiths on loan from the Hoops, have also brought in 19-year-old Southampton striker Jake Sinclair on a season-long loan. His signing came after it was confirmed that Hibs forward Faird El Alagui had ruptured his Achilles tendon, which will keep him out for most, if not all of the season. Jackson Irvine also left Celtic on a season-long loan, becoming one of three Ross County signings days after their management team of Derek and George Adams were sacked. Dundee United forward Michael Gardyne re-signed on loan while Darren Barr signed following his release by Kilmarnock. Partick Thistle signed 23-year-old former Liverpool and Blackpool striker Nathan Eccleston, while Falkirk signed Aberdeen full-back Joe Shaughnessy on loan until January and winger David Smith from Hearts on a two-year deal. Hearts loaned striker Gary Oliver to Stenhousemuir until January while goalkeeper Lee Hollis left Tynecastle. Dundee defender Kyle Benedictus joined Alloa on a season-long loan while goalkeeper Grant Adam left Dens Park. Rangers loaned out seven young players, most of them with first-team experience, until the turn of the year. Striker Calum Gallagher joined Cowdenbeath, midfielders Robbie Crawford (Morton), Tom Walsh (Stenhousemuir) and Barrie McKay (Raith Rovers) moved out, while there were new assignments for defenders Danny Stoney (Stranraer), Luca Gasparotto (Airdrie) and Craig Halkett (Clyde).