Celtic manager Ronny Deila has declared his interest in signing Dundee United winger Gary Mackay-Steven.

The 25-year-old is said to have been the subject of two failed bids by League One outfit Sheffield United, while the Hoops have now also joined the race to land the in-demand midfielder.

Following his side's 3-2 defeat against Sparta Prague at Celtic Park last night, Deila confirmed that he wants to sign Mackay-Steven, who is out of contract at Dundee in the summer.

"We are looking at the best Scottish players, of course," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "But we have not done anything.

"He is one of the players who have done well and of course we are looking, but we have not done anything official."

Deila denied that a pre-contract agreement had been reached with Dundee, reiterating that no bid had yet been made.

Another Celtic target in Shaun Maloney is expected to join Leicester City, meanwhile, with a £1m fee said to have been agreed between the two clubs.