Celtic have announced that Dundee United’s Gary Mackay-Steven has signed a pre-contract with the club and will join them this summer.
The winger, who has one cap for Scotland which came in a friendly against USA two years ago, has been with Dundee United since 2011, having signed from Airdrie, and was free to talk to the Glasgow club as he had six months left on his contract.
A statement on Celtic’s website said: “Celtic are delighted to announce that Gary Mackay-Steven has signed a pre-contract agreement and he will join the club this summer.
“The 24-year-old made his first-team debut for Dundee United back in July 2011, and he has gone on to make almost 130 appearances for the Tannadice side, scoring 27 goals. He has also been capped by Scotland. Everyone at Celtic welcomes Gary to the club.”
Speaking earlier in the week, the Celtic manager, Ronny Deila, confirmed his interest in Mackay-Steven, saying: “When a player such as Mackay-Steven is available we have to be on our toes. We haven’t talked with him but we have talked to his agent and we understand he is interested in coming to Celtic.
“We hope to sign a contract with him into the summer. If we can do something now we will do it but everything has its price. First, we have to get him to sign and then we’ll take it from there. If Mackay-Steven comes now he’s a Scottish player who knows the league and can do a job at once.”
With both Celtic and Dundee United vying for the Scottish Premiership title, Mackay-Steven could potentially be instrumental in stopping his new club from claiming their 46th title.
