Rangers were also interested but defender Jack Hendry has moved to Parkhead on a four-and-a-half year deal from Dundee after a switch was sewn up with minutes to spare amid 11th-hour interest from Rangers.
Hendry, after completing his Celtic move, revealed last night the chance to work with Brendan Rodgers was crucial in his £1.5million move to Celtic.
His team-mate Scott Bain was first in the door at Celtic after a frantic day of negotiations and comings and goings at Dens Park.
The deal to sign highly-rated Hendry from Dundee was completed after his representative were locked in talks with Celtic’s hierachy.
Hendry, who had been subject to speculations from south of the border, will be unveilled this morning to complete a meteoric rise for the former Partick Thistle youngster this season.
He said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to have signed for Celtic. Joining the Scottish champions is a brilliant move for me.
“I know from playing against Celtic this season the quality of players who are at the club and I can’t wait to start training with my new team-mates.
“I also know that working with Brendan Rodgers and the rest of the coaching staff here will improve me as a player and I’m looking forward to working hard every day to repay the faith they’ve shown in signing me.
“I’ve already experienced playing at Celtic Park as an opposition player but I can’t wait to run out wearing the Celtic jersey and play in front of the Celtic supporters.”
Hendry had made 30 appearances for Dundee since joining the club last summer and was in their starting line-up for Tuesday’s 1-0 Scottish Cup win over Inverness.
Hendry’s move followed Bain – who had been on loan at Easter Road – arriving at Parkhead for talks wearing his Hibs travel kit.
Hendry had been initially preparing to watch Dundee’s home match against Motherwell at Easter Road before the dash to Glasgow.
Bain said:
“This is the biggest club in Scotland and one of the biggest in the world so I just can’t believe I’m here.
“I phoned my dad earlier today just to say I was leaving Easter Road and on the road to Glasgow and he was buzzing and delighted for me.
“I can’t believe I was on the bench for Hibs against Celtic last weekend and then just a few days later
I’m signing for Celtic.“It’s not something that when I went on loan to Hibs I thought was ever going to happen so the past few days have been great and to get it over the line and be here is absolutely amazing.”
Hoops boss Rodgers had faced a race against time to bolster goalkeeping options after No.1 Craig Gordon was ruled out for 12 weeks with a knee injury sustained in the 1-0 win against Hibs last weekend.
Celtic have now turned to ex-Scotland Under-21 keeper Bain to provide competition for Dorus de Vries
Bain only joined Hibs on a short-term loan earlier this month but that was terminated and Dundee have allowed their player to make a temporary switch to Celtic with the option of a permanent deal when his Dens Park contract expires in the summer.