Derby are ready to battle with Hearts for Craig Gordon’s signature.
The Rams are believed to be keen on signing the 37-year-old Scotland ace after being left with a goalkeeping problem of their own this summer.
First choice keeper Ben Hamer’s season-long loan deal from Huddersfield ends when the season is concluded.
Hamer was signed as cover after Scott Carson headed to the Etihad in a season-long loan deal with Manchester City.
But Pep Guardiola is believed to want to keep Carson for another term which would leave Derby short of a keeper.
Gordon has spent six years at Celtic but went public with his criticisms that there have been no further discussions with the Parkhead side after he rejected a new deal on reduced terms.
The keeper claimed there was an “enormous gap” between his own expectations and what Celtic had offered and while he claimed that the door was still open it is unlikely that common ground will be found.
The key for Gordon is regular football with the keeper making just six appearances for Celtic since December 2018 after losing his place firstly to Scott Bain and then to on-loan signing Fraser Forster.
Gordon’s last showing for the Parkhead side was a Europa League defeat to Cluj in December after Neil Lennon’s side had secured their passage into the knockout stages.
Hearts, where Gordon began his senior career, remain the favourites to sign the keeper who has also knocked back an offer from Jim Goodwin’s St Mirren side.
The Jambos are believed to have offered a two-year deal with the option of a 12-month extension, while there would also be scope for Gordon to work towards his coaching qualifications.
