McGeady has been with Celtic since 2001

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray insists admirers of Aiden McGeady should forget about preparing offers for the Republic of Ireland winger.

"Aiden's a very important player for our club in what we're trying to build here," explained Mowbray.

"There's no interest whatsoever in listening to bids," added the manager in response to reports of a possible fresh approach from Birmingham.

"Other clubs would be wasting their energy picking the phone up."

Birmingham made an enquiry about McGeady's availability earlier this month but were told the 23-year-old was not for sale.

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The midfielder, Scotland's player of the year in 2008, has scored five goals this season and is a huge fans' favourite.

"I wouldn't sit here and say one player makes the difference," added Mowbray in praise of McGeady.

"But what Aiden McGeady brings is that x-factor for us really, the ability in the Scottish game - where we do play against teams with a lot of men behind the ball - to eliminate individuals, to go past packed defences, to beat two and three men.

"Our financial situation is we don't need to accept bids for players that we don't want to sell."

Celtic have moved Gary Caldwell, Barry Robson, Chris Killen and Willo Flood on this week and recruited Dutch defender Jos Hooiveld, who has won titles in Finland and Sweden.

And Mowbray revealed he was close to making further additions to his squad this month.

"We're pretty well down the line with a few things," he said ahead of Saturday's game with Falkirk.

"The life of a football manager throughout January is an interesting one, of very long hours and lots of conversations.

"You think you're very close to doing a deal and then you're not.

"Every club you talk to wants £10m for every player you ask about."

Hooiveld has not played since AIK Stockholm's campaign finished in November and will take two weeks to build up his match fitness.

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