BBC SPORT | Football | Teams | Celtic | Celtic close to double signing

Hedman would push Rab Douglas for his place

Celtic could complete the signing of goalkeeper Magnus Hedman by Tuesday.

The clubs have agreed a fee and the Coventry City and Sweden player is in Glasgow for talks with the Scottish champions.

If he can agree personal terms, he will undergo a medical on Tuesday before the deal is done.

Coventry City chairman Mike McGinnity told the Sky Blues' official website: "The offer from Celtic is far in excess of the bid we received from Espanyol in June.

"The board are satisfied that it meets our valuation of Magnus."

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Hedman starred in the World Cup alongside Celtic's Henrik Larsson and Johan Mjallby and would provide current Celtic keeper Rab Douglas with a stern test for the goalkeeper's jersey.

Sweden manager Lars Lagerback said he believed a move to Celtic would be an excellent one for Hedman.

"This can only be a good thing for Marcus. It will give him the opportunity to play at the highest level possible," said Lagerback.

"There is also the added bonus of playing in the Champions League and for Marcus, if he can play well there, then that is good for international level."

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill also hopes to sign Ulrik Laursen from Hibernian within the next few days.

Laursen would provide more competition in defence
Laursen (left) in action against Rangers
The deal looks set to be finalised soon after the Easter Road club accepted an offer for the Danish defender.

O'Neill said: "I haven't spoken to the player yet. I'll possibly do that at the beginning of the week but when he will be available is unclear at the moment."

Laursen's imminent departure, coupled with Aston Villa's signing of Ulises de la Cruz, will leave Hibs short at the back.

But the cash generated from the sales will go some way to solving the club's financial problems.

De la Cruz was sold for approximately �1.5m and the fee for Laursen, who arrived in Scotland from OB Odense two seasons ago for nothing, is expected to be similar.

Easter Road manager Bobby Williamson has been unable to add to his squad during the summer and has seen several players leave as a result of a lack of finance.

He has indicated, though, that he will use money from the De la Cruz transfer to finance the re-signing of the out-of-contract Matthias Jack, who has been training with the club.


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