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CELTIC are preparing to step up their efforts for £7million-rated Bosnia World Cup star Ermin Mahmic. The Slovan Liberec midfielder is just one of Martin O’Neill’s remaining target as the transfer deadline looms on September 3. The Hoops are on the brink of a £40million Champions League windfall following their 3-0 Play-Off triumph over LASK at Parkhead in midweek with the second hurdle due in Austria on Tuesday. There could be a dramatic cash splash from O’Neill if the team safely manoeuvre a path through to the next stage although they know they will face a difficult task in Linz. Mahmic has been on the champions’ wish list for some time, as CQN reported at the beginning of the week. However, his club side are refusing from their asking price and it looks as though the Hoops will have to match it or look elsewhere, according to the Scottish Sun. O’Neill is determined to bolster his midfield options after the £22million departure of Arne Engels to West Ham and Paulo Bernardo’s season-long loan move to Polish outfit Gornik Zabrze. Reo Hatate had a late role to play in the side’s crucial triumph over LASK, but the Japanese playmaker is still expected to leave Parkhead before the window closes. Mika Baur has arrived from Bundesliga club SC Paderborn, but O’Neill needs more depth, with Torino’s Gvidas Gineitis a long-time target. Scotland’s title kings are also aware Southampton’s Japanese defender Yuki Sugawara is about to be made available. The 26-year-old has 25 caps and had a loan spell at Werder Bremen last season. Sugawara played four times at the World Cup for his country and would offer an experienced full-back option. Canadian Niko Sigur, who was linked to Celtic in January, is once again on the radar and the versatile Hajduk Split operator can play right-back or midfield. The Hoops are also hopeful of landing Chelsea’s teenage left-back Landon Emenalo on loan as back-up to Kieran Tierney. Meanwhile, the Hoops have confirmed the loan exits of midfielders Kyle Ure and Jude Bonnar to Crewe and Arbroath. WANT TO KNOW A SECRET? Celtic Confidential is the stunning book that brings the exclusive inside stories behind the headlines. Who was the tycoon who would have ruined Celtic? What really happened the night Kenny Dalglish quit the club? The real story behind Mo Johnston’s sensational move to Ibrox. All is revealed in Alex Gordon’s sixteenth Celtic book which is available NOW. Order a copy and get £5 OFF the cover price of £25. Just click SHOP HERE and your book will be on its way. Enjoy the revelations!