Bradford City boss Jim Jefferies today cooled suggestions that troubled striker Stan Collymore's move to Celtic is rubber-stamped.

Jefferies played down claims that the Scottish giants want Collymore in exchange for Tommy Johnson - although he refused to rule out the possibility.

But he denied that Leicester had put in a bid for wantaway goalkeeper Matt Clarke.

Collymore has revealed how much he wants to rejoin his former Leicester boss Martin O'Neill north of the border, and said: "He is the best manager in the UK, with the obvious exception of Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I have heard about other offers, but some of them have been rather insulting and from people trying to do a little bit of publicity seeking.

"But Celtic are a massive club and geared for success, so if something happened it would be thumbs up from me."

Jefferies said: "The call came from a third party and certainly not from Celtic themselves.

"This is a case of agents trying to match-make. They know that when I was at Hearts I tried to sign Tommy Johnson, and the player wants to come to England so the link was obvious.

"Somebody is thinking that Jim likes Johnson, Collymore likes O'Neill and you've got a transfer.

"A third party got in touch and we intimated our interest but that is as far as it has gone.

"I presume the third party will inform Celtic of our interest. It was nothing initiated by us.

"I've no idea if Celtic are interested in that sort of deal at all. They've certainly not said anything."

The Collymore cabaret took a further twist in the Scottish newspapers today when they revealed his interview with Rangers Monthly in April.

In it, Collymore said: "There was talk about me going to Celtic and how on earth could I do that when my soft spot is for the blue half of Glasgow?"

Celtic are currently on a mid-winter break in Florida and have refused to comment on any transfer speculation.

Jefferies poured scorn on a claim by Clarke's agent Ian Elliot that City had thrown out a £2 million offer from Leicester.

Elliot said: "The situation isn't doing the player or the club any good. There's definite interest from Leicester but the figure that has been quoted for Matt is far too high."

Jefferies countered: "We've never had an inquiry to quote a price at all. If clubs are interested they've got to make us an offer but Bradford haven't put a price on Clarke's head.

"We've heard talk of this and that but there has been nothing of any substance."

Clarke has not kicked a ball since December 9 and Jefferies said: "That is the downside of asking for a transfer.

"You can go and ask for a move but if nobody comes in, you put yourself out the picture."

Isaiah Rankin was talking to Bristol Rovers today, although he was expected to opt for Barnsley in a £350,000 move that could eventually rise to £600,000.

And Dean Saunders is mulling over an offer from Sheffield United, although he has made it clear he would prefer something permanent rather than a loan deal.