‘A greater chance’: £4m star’s father gives clear answer about Celtic’s hopes of January deal

with the Bologna striker’s father reportedly ruling on a January transfer unless his Serie A club can first find a replacement.

Over two months have passed since the former Heerenveen talisman appeared to hint at a mid-season exit,

despite struggling for game time in Italy and remaining glued to the Bologna bench.

Since then, Sydney van Hooijdonk has started only two of seven Serie A games,

trailing Thiago Motta’s in-form – and much-admired – Joshua Zirkzee in the pecking order.

As a result, speculation about the broad-shouldered Dutchman joining Celtic for £4 million remains.

However, according to Van Hooijdonk’s father, who is a former Hoops forward,

the likelihood of Sydney following in Pierre’s footsteps before the month is out look slim, to say the least.

Celtic apparently likes Sydney van Hooijdonk.

“I think there is a greater chance that he will stay there (in Italy),” Van Hooijdonk Sr tells Studio Voetbal on NOS.

“No, I don’t think he will be permitted to leave yet. Also, they are looking to see if they can sign another striker.

That would modify things slightly.”

Pierre van Hooijdonk, a former Netherlands international,

scored 56 goals in 92 games for Celtic throughout the 1990s.

Three decades later, Sydney may yet be given the opportunity to follow in his father’s footsteps.

The 23-year-old – a master of the first-time finish,

hit the target 19 times during a spectacular Eredivisie loan spell at Heerenveen last season,

but has struggled to make the step up from the relatively small pond

that is Dutch football into choppier waters full of far bigger fish.

Brendan Rodgers’ January plans

HITC knows that Celtic are also interested in Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland.

Brendan Rodgers has only signed Nicolas Kuhn from Rapid Vienna thus far,

but with Joe Hart’s contract ending in the summer,

a new goalkeeper is a possibility.

Elfsborg shot-stopper Hakon Valdimarsson,

an Iceland international and the Swedish league’s reigning Goalkeeper of the Year,

is supposedly available for just £2 million.

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