Celtic join chase to sign 1m Everton striker James Vaughan

Last updated : 17 January 2011 By Daily Mail

The 22-year-old, who is also wanted by Championship promotion hopefuls Cardiff City, appeared as a 74th-minute substitute for the Goodison side in Sunday's Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Wanted: Celtic face competition to sign Everton striker James Vaughan

Despite his first involvement for the Premier League side in over a year, however, the former England Under-21 international is keen to secure regular first-team football after spending the first six months of the season on loan at Championship side Crystal Palace, where he scored five goals in 14 appearances.

Staying put: Huseklepp (right) will not be joining Celtic

The Birmingham-born attacker has been informed of Celtic's interest and is keen to make the move to the SPL in the hope of kick-starting his career.

Cardiff have been persistently linked with a player who became the youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer at the age of 16 before succumbing to a run of injuries.

Despite recovering fully and proving his fitness, Vaughan has slipped down the Toffees pecking order, spending short spells at Derby County and Leicester City before returning from Palace in December.

Louis Saha and Jermaine Beckford are ahead of Vaughan in the plans of boss David Moyes, who is insisting on a permanent deal despite strong interest from a number of clubs in another loan.

Celtic have moved on to Vaughan after dropping their interest in Norway international Erik Huseklepp after Brann Bergen refused to drop their £2m asking price.

 Hibs 0 Celtic 3: Stokes at the double as Lennon's men claim easy winLennon's six-match touchline ban puts Celtic on the warpath with the SFA Explore more:People: David Moyes, Louis Saha, James Vaughan Places: Cardiff, Birmingham, Norway, United Kingdom

Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail