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RONNY DEILA last night insisted Celtic could make a sensational swoop for Stromsgodset wonderkid Martin Odegaard.

And the Hoops boss has made his first signing with keeper Craig Gordon penning a two-year deal.

The former Scotland No.1 will fly out today to join the rest of the squad at Celtic’s pre-season camp in Austria.

But while the chances of landing Norwegian youngster Odegaard looked to have been sunk after Deila’s replacement David Neilsen claimed the kid was destined for Barcelona, the Celtic boss – who made the midfielder a first-team regular at just 15 – is convinced he could bring him to Parkhead.

Deila said: “It’s incorrect to say that Martin is outwith our range. He must do what is best for him and we will do what is best for us – we’ll see if our paths meet at a later date.

“Martin is a good player but not even close to being a Celtic player at the moment. But there’s no doubt that he might be in the future.”

The Norwegian, preparing for his first match as Celtic boss in tonight’s friendly clash with Russian side FK Krasnador in Austria, is resigned to being without James Forrest for the Champions League qualifiers after the winger’s injury jinx struck again.

The 22-year-old pulled a thigh muscle in pre-season training and Deila said: “James is out for some weeks. We will see what happens in terms of the qualifiers. We will take it from week to week.

“I don’t want to rush James. He has been out for such a long time that he needs time to get his fitness up.

"I saw in training that he didn’t have the fitness needed to be consistent.

“When he is fit, then he can start playing games. He is a very explosive player. When you are in and out you can push too hard to get back and end up having to start all over again.

“It’s very important that we take our time with him and get out his potential. If it continues the way of the last year or two then that will never happen because of all the injuries.”

Winger Derk Boerrigter was also crocked last term and Deila admits he’s made a couple of wide men his top signing priority.

He said: “We don’t have so many options in terms of wingers. That is maybe the thing we have to look for first.

“Last season a lot of midfielders were used in wide positions. Finding another winger is some-thing we will look at."