By Neil Faskin

Csaba Laszlo, the Hearts manager, refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with a controversial move for Derek Riordan, opting to focus instead on yesterday's win over Hamilton in the Premier League.

Sources at Celtic Park say there are three clubs interested in signing the striker, with the club fully expecting him to leave before the deadline.

Reports suggest the Edinburgh club have already failed with a bid to take the out-of-favour forward on loan and could be preparing to make a permanent offer.

City rivals Hibernian have confirmed their interest in taking the player back to Easter Road after he quit for Celtic in 2006. Whether either club succeeds in ending his unhappy spell in the east end of Glasgow before the transfer deadline remains to be seen.

But, when quizzed about Hearts' interest, Laszlo would only say: "I don't know. At the moment, I am enjoying the three points. It was not easy to take the three points here."

It was a similar story at Easter Road as both Hibernian chief executive Rod Petrie and manager Mixu Paatelainen refused to comment on their club's pursuit of Riordan.

Celtic are also poised to offload another player who has failed to nail down a first-team place at the club.

Massimo Donati has struggled in his time at Parkhead and Italian club Lecce are set to offer the player a deal that will take him back to his homeland.

The midfielder has failed to adapt to Scottish football since moving from AC Milan for £3 million in June last year. Donati, 27, lost his first-team place this season and has since been overlooked by Gordon Strachan. Donati made only 22 SPL starts last season, scoring three goals.

Reports in Italy last night claimed Lecce have already contacted the SPL champions to ask a price, with Roberto Rizzo, the Italian club's coach, said to be a fan of the playmaker and ready to offer around £1m. Celtic have so far failed to get high-earning Bobo Balde and Riordan off their wage bill.

The prospect of the two late deals may allow Strachan to make some last-minute changes to his squad before the transfer window closes tomorrow.

Across the city, Alan Gow will have talks with Blackpool today after Rangers agreed a deal with The Championship side and gave them permission to speak with the player who has found first-team opportunities limited.

Gow previously knocked back a chance to join Burnley as part of the deal which took Kyle Lafferty to Ibrox but Rangers are hopeful that he will move on this time.