Parkhead exit door set to have hinges tested

If Glasgow Airport's VIP departure lounge is preparing for a late rush, then arrivals continues to offer adequate seating.

The Parkhead club have rejected an offer from Spanish outfit Osasuna to take unhappy midfielder Evander Sno on a one-year loan. Others, however, look to be more expendable.

Kenny Miller and Maciej Zurawski could join Jiri Jarosik and Derek Riordan in leaving, while Thomas Gravesen's exit can never be ruled out.

For supporters, the real interest lies in watching the entrance door rather than the exit. But pushing players out in the days leading up to Friday may yet prove the key to further recruitment for Celtic.

Yet, beyond excited whispers of an Eidur Gudjohnsen loan deal with Barcelona, the identities of potential new signings remain a carefully guarded secret.

The arrival of Spartak Moscow on Champions League business this afternoon will lead to an iron curtain descending over the speculation. In Glasgow on transfer deadline week, however, such a state can only ever be temporary.

The Parkhead club can be glad of one thing at least; Artur Boruc, arguably their most saleable asset, would appear to be going nowhere.

There are those who revel in concocting theories in darkened rooms over Boruc's future. Should Celtic fail against the Russian league leaders tomorrow night, then a potential £10million bounty would be lost.

A quick sale of the Polish goalkeeper would provide a tempting, ready-made means by which to fill the hole.

If Craig Gordon is worth £9m to Sunderland, then Celtic are entitled to wonder how much a World Cup goalkeeper with an impeccable Champions League record might be worth.

And yet the arguments for keeping such a player are convincing. Artmedia Bratislava, FC Copenhagen, Benfica, Manchester United and AC Milan have all beaten the Pole on their own soil. In Glasgow, however, the £650,000 snip from Legia Warsaw has proven himself solid gold.

Arsenal and Aston Villa were heavily linked with Boruc prior to securing alternative cover for their goalkeeping positions.

Yet qualification for the blue riband of the European game brings its own rewards - not least an ability to repel Premiership advances for top players.

Some approaches are more welcome than others.

Miller remains a target for Manchester City, Fulham and Derby County and, as Sportsmail first revealed last season, Celtic will accept an offer in the region of £3m for the striker, despite the Scotland man's reluctance to leave.

Zurawski also looks to be surplus to requirements and keen to leave despite turning down the chance to return to Wisla Krakow on loan.

The striker was quoted in the Polish press yesterday, saying: "I started to train with the team again last Thursday, but I don't want to be a substitute any more. During the game (against Hearts) the coach let two guys come off the bench earlier than me. Chris Killen, who is barely even showing average form, and another guy who is always on the bench, Derek Riordan."

Gravesen, Jarosik and Riordan played in a 2-0 win over Hearts reserves yesterday - the former Hibs man scoring both goals - but it would be a surprise if all three were still in Glasgow come Friday evening.

Not so Sno, who also featured yesterday, but looks to be staying put despite his agent hinting at discontent with his current status.

Confirming that Osasuna - also linked with Brahim Hemdani of Rangers - had made an inquiry to Celtic, agent Chiel Dekker told Sportsmail: "It is true, but Celtic do not want him to go.

"We can't stop Osasuna asking about him, they are free to do so. It was interesting because Celtic have six players on the bench now all competing for the first team.

"Evander wants to play first-team football but he is under contract and Celtic will decide when he goes."

Resoundingly out of Celtic's control is the matter of Shaun Maloney's future.

Despite a suspicion that the former Parkhead favourite will eventually succumb to homesickness, Martin O'Neill remains resolute in his desire to keep the player at Aston Villa.

O'Neill said: "I have spoken to Shaun and no one is going anywhere. I want players into the club rather than going out. I know it is difficult when you move to another country, but he is not the only one who has come down here.

"Stilian Petrov came down here along with some of my staff. We all have to move around.

"This is the first time that Shaun has really been away from home. But I do not envisage him leaving. He has a future with us."