CELTIC have identified Finnish striker Teemu Pukki as an option if their bid to sign Alfred Finnbogason flounders.

The 23-year-old plays for Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga, and is under contract for another year, but has struggled to hold down a regular place since moving there for £1.2m from HJK Helsinki two years ago.

Pukki caught the attention of the German side when he scored a hat-trick against them in a Europa League tie. He can operate through the centre or coming in from the left, and is expected to cost around £2million.

Hoops boss Neil Lennon has already lost out in his pursuit of Latvian hitman, Artjoms Rudnevs. Icelandic star Finnbogason became the next target on the list of those identified to add some more firepower to the side which has lost its top scorer for the last three seasons, Gary Hooper.

But, his side, Heerenveen, are holding out for significantly more than Celtic value the 24-year-old at. This could open the way for Celtic to make an offer for Pukki, although there are other names on the list which Lennon has collated along with chief scout, John Park.

The Parkhead club can still add one more signing to their squad for the Champions League play-off games against Shakhter Karagandy.

But, with Lennon and his players scheduled to leave for Kazakhstan straight after their SPFL game against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday, and with time fast running out to obtain a visa, it's now considered unlikely any new signing would be brought on board in time for Tuesday's tie.

To be eligible for the second leg at Parkhead on August 28, any new arrival would have to be registered by Monday next week.