Tony Mowbray has all but ruled out a move for Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane, claiming Celtic are not in a position to pay the wages of players earning over €50,000.

The Glasgow club have been rumoured to be lining up a move for the Tottenham striker but Mowbray quashed the talk today, while restricting his answer to a more general inquiry about bringing players of a similar eaning potential.

“I would suggest that is out of my hands," he said. “Within the structure we have currently, there is no scope for that.

“Every football club has its own policies and at this moment I don’t envisage that happening — unless certain individuals want to make that commitment themselves.

“But at this moment, no, I don’t think so.”

Mowbray remains relaxed about the future of defender Gary Caldwell, who is out of contract at the end of the season and who appears no closer to signing a new deal, but he bristled when asked about the possibility of bids coming in for Keane's international team-mate Aiden McGeady.

“I am not expecting any (bids), I am not anticipating any and I am not wanting any," he said. “Aiden is very settled, he is enjoying his football and he is looking forward to hopefully helping us win the title this year.

“His technical ability, his speed of feet and his ball manipulation are almost a God-given gift.

“He has to use them to the benefit of the team.

“He brings a different dimension to our team, particularly for this club when you are playing against teams who put a lot of men behind the ball and sometimes that individuality can help unlock the door for us.

“We are delighted that he is performing at such a high level.”