Neil Lennon adds yet another striker to the mix at Celtic

NEIL Lennon's desire to provide himself with as many attacking options as possible has seen Celtic close in on the season-long loan signing of United States Under-20 international striker Adrian Ruelas.

• Celtic manager Neil Lennon is continuing to expand the options available to him in attack Picture: SNS

The 19-year-old is expected to move to Glasgow as a result of a partnership Celtic struck with Mexican Premier League club Santos Laguna earlier this year. If Ruelas impresses manager Lennon and his coaching staff, Celtic have first option to buy him next summer. In the closing week of the transfer window last month, Lennon had expressed his desire to add two more strikers to his squad. But while he succeeded in capturing Anthony Stokes from Hibs, he was frustrated in his bid for Israel international Itay Shechter from Hapoel Tel-Aviv.

The recruitment of Ruelas would be unlikely to have any imminent impact on Lennon's first-team plans with the player initially earmarked for a place in Celtic's development squad under coach Danny McGrain.

• Celtic's striking options

A club spokesman said: "Celtic can confirm they are in discussions with Santos Laguna with a view to developing a potential football and commercial relationship. With regards to the player in question, we understand he's an exceptional talent and we are looking at giving him the opportunity to come and train with Celtic. It should be noted that there is no formal loan or transfer agreement concerning the player at this stage."

Born in California, Ruelas, pictured below, has dual Mexican and American nationality. He began his senior career with US Major League Soccer club Chivas USA before moving to Santos Laguna. A former Mexican youth international, he switched allegiance earlier this year to earn a call-up to the United States Under-20 squad.

It was during the annual Milk Cup tournament in Northern Ireland in July that he first came to the attention of Celtic scouts. Ruelas, who stands 6ft 1ins tall, scored twice in a 3-2 win over Denmark before netting again in the Americans' 3-0 defeat of Northern Ireland in the final.

"I'm very happy (about the move to Celtic)," said Ruelas yesterday."I am a little rushed with the news as overnight I have been told I am going to another club."

Celtic are also assessing another highly-regarded striking prospect with Trinidad and Tobago international Shahdon Winchester on trial at the club.

The 18-year-old scored twice for Celtic's development side in a 6-1 win against Motherwell at Lennoxtown earlier this week.

Winchester, who plays for W Connection in his homeland, has already earned praise from Lennon, who will consider whether to move for the player during the January transfer window.

Lennon, meanwhile, has seen competition for his first-team striking positions intensify this week with Gary Hooper, his 2.4 million summer signing from Scunthorpe United, scoring on his comeback from injury in the development squad's friendly against Motherwell.

Hooper has yet to make his SPL debut for Celtic after being sidelined by a calf injury sustained in a pre-season match against Blackburn.

Hooper will come into contention for Celtic's Clydesdale Bank Premierleague match against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday.