DAVID CUFFLEY Midfielder Mark Fotheringham would be a shrewd signing for Norwich City - according to one of his former Celtic colleagues. The 23-year-old has reportedly been offered a two-year deal by the Canaries, but is training with Rangers, who are believed to be in pole position to secure his signature.

DAVID CUFFLEY

Midfielder Mark Fotheringham would be a shrewd signing for Norwich City - according to one of his former Celtic colleagues.

The 23-year-old has reportedly been offered a two-year deal by the Canaries, but is training with Rangers, who are believed to be in pole position to secure his signature.

City boss Peter Grant admits he is attempting to twist Dundee-born Fotheringham's arm about a move to Carrow Road, with the transfer window closing at midnight tomorrow, and on-loan goalkeeper David Marshall said he would recommend a move to Norwich for his former team-mate at Celtic Park.

“Definitely. I've enjoyed myself in the last couple of weeks. The boys have been great and if anyone asked me, I'd certainly recommend it,” said Marshall.

“I know Mark. I was in with him maybe for a year, or year and a half when I was younger. I've not seen him in the last two or three years but I know he was really, really highly rated when he was younger. If the manager thinks he's good enough to be here, I'm sure he is and I'd like to see him here as well.”

Playing for Rangers after starting his career at Celtic would not be an obstacle for Fotheringham, however, said Marshall.

“I think if he had done the direct swap there would be a bit more uproar, but Mark's been in Germany for a bit and he's been in with a few other clubs in between, so it doesn't matter too much.”

Fotheringham quit Swiss side Aarau last week in the hope of rekindling his international career, after spells with Celtic, Dundee and German club Freiburg.

“I understand Rangers have been mightily impressed with him in the small period he has been there,” said Grant. “But they want to keep him there and see him for a few more days because obviously Walter Smith has just seen him for the last bit and he has been very complimentary about him.

“I think the important thing I am trying to say to him in this is 'Look, this is a team that wants to go forward', and there is a possibility he could be involved straightaway in the first team.”

St Mirren midfielder Simon Lappin, 24, is another player Grant has inquired about but he admits he's running out of time.

“Simon is a player that's a left-sider, he has played a lot of games now in the Premier League - I think he's played 23 or 25 games this season - he has a very good delivery, a lovely left foot. He's not the quickest, but it's a name that keeps getting thrown back to me because people know I am looking for left-siders.

“Reports are that he has done well. I have spoken to their manager and talked about him - they are keen to keep hold of him, which is fine, I have no problem with that. He is one that interests me but that would have to happen in the next two days because after that you can't get the boys from Scotland on loan.”

Grant admits that he may have to settle for loan players if he cannot beat tomorrow's deadline with permanent buys.

He said: “It looks 90 per cent of the time now it is going to be a loan, for most of them.

“With the ones you thought you could buy, the managers have moved the goalposts on you and they have said they would rather do a loan, but for the loan fee they want a transfer fee near enough.”

Grant has until March to bring in a player on loan - and if short-term deals are now his target, he has more time to play with.

“You have to remember if it is a loan it is not as important to get them in before Wednesday evening,” he said. “Because it is 93 days they are allowed to stay, the timing is important. If I take them on loan and it is only three months maximum, I have to make sure I still have them for the end of the season because hopefully our season is going to go to the end of May.”