Burnley manager Owen Coyle claims he has yet to table an offer for Derek Riordan - and admits he could look elsewhere to bolster his squad ahead of the new season.
Coyle is a huge admirer of the out of favour Celtic forward and has been linked with a summer swoop.
Riordan was offered as a makeweight by the Scottish champions when they attempted to sign Kyle Lafferty, before the striker opted for a move to Old Firm rivals Rangers instead.
There was also speculation of a move to Turf Moor back in January, with a bid of £400,000 reportedly rejected at the time.
But Coyle insists no contact has been made with Celtic since Lafferty's departure for a player who has made just 36 appearances since signing from Hibernian in 2006.
"It's been well-documented that I'm an admirer of Derek Riordan," said Coyle.
"He was mentioned in the deal for Kyle Lafferty but I haven't spoken to Celtic since Kyle went to Rangers.
"There has been no dialogue regarding what the fee would be for Derek Riordan.
"We are known to be admirers of him but I want my players at Burnley and I want them now.
"It might very well be that, if there is a deal to be done with any player, then we move on.
"If you go after a target and you can't get him, you have to move quickly somewhere else and that's the way we operate."
Meanwhile, Coyle has backed Lafferty to be a major success at Rangers after sealing a £3million move to Ibrox last month.
The Northern Ireland striker, 20, agreed a five-year deal and his former boss insists he will be one to watch in the future.
Coyle told BBC Radio Scotland: "He is a wonderful lad, a real joy to work with.
"He's a Northern Ireland international and I watched him against Sweden when he destroyed them on his own up front.
"He's 6ft 4in, he runs like the wind, he's comfortable with his right foot, he's comfortable with his left foot and he can play on his own up front or out wide.
"He's 20 years of age so you are buying potential, as well as the fact he has already shown he can play at a very high level.
"Knowing the coaching staff they have at Rangers, they will bring him on. I've got no doubts that Kyle will go on to be a big, big star."
