ALEXANDER RING, the Celtic target, has been followed closely all season by the Glasgow club according to the player's agent.

The Kaiserslautern midfielder has been personally watched by Neil Lennon as he tries to add to his squad for next season's campaign.

Ring, 23, only moved to the Bundesliga 2 side last season, but Celtic have stepped up their interest in the 23-times capped Finland internationalist, after Lennon also watched him playing in a World Cup qualifier against France this season.

"The matter has been under discussion for probably a year now," said his agent, Tuomas Talvitie. "However, we are a long way from reaching a conclusion."

His club are prepared to sell - despite only signing him a year ago - if Celtic make a good enough offer.