Motherwell wanted to sign Nadir Ciftci from Celtic in the January transfer window.
Motherwell manager Mark McGhee has suggested to The Scottish Sun that his side’s game against Ross County on deadline day was the reason behind the failure to sign Nadir Ciftci from Scottish Premiership rivals Celtic.
The Steelmen took on County away from home at the Global Energy Stadium in the Scottish Premiership on January 31.
David Prutton offers verdict on Zach Clough
McGhee has suggested that the match on the final day of the January transfer window, which his side won 2-1, prevented him from signing Ciftci.
The 24-year-old forward has been on the books of Celtic since 2015, but he has struggled for playing time at Celtic Park and was also sent out on loan to Eskisehirspor in 2016.
“We were still trying to make a bid to sign the lad while we were up north but we just ran out of time and it was nothing to do with Celtic playing silly games or anything,” McGhee told The Scottish Sun. “It was partly down to our side of things — with Scott McDonald’s move to Sydney being on then off.
A big influence… Darron Gibson explains Sunderland move
“But I think if we had been sitting in the office instead of travelling up the road we could have saved a few hours and got the deal done. If the decks were cleared and there were no games then it would make it better for everyone.”
Celtic are at the top of the Scottish Premiership table at the moment with 67 points from 23 matches.
The Bhoys are 25 points clear of second-placed and Old Firm rivals Rangers and are the clear frontrunners for the title.
Meanwhile, Motherwell currently find themselves sixth in the league table with 24 points from 22 matches.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
