DAVID CUFFLEY City boss Peter Grant today reaffirmed his determination to make Celtic's David Marshall his number one goalkeeper at Carrow Road. The Canaries' bid to sign 22-year-old Scotland international Marshall on a permanent deal after last season's brief loan spell has hit something of a stalemate after their initial offer for the player - reported in some quarters as around £500,000 - was rejected.

DAVID CUFFLEY

City boss Peter Grant today reaffirmed his determination to make Celtic's David Marshall his number one goalkeeper at Carrow Road.

The Canaries' bid to sign 22-year-old Scotland international Marshall on a permanent deal after last season's brief loan spell has hit something of a stalemate after their initial offer for the player - reported in some quarters as around £500,000 - was rejected.

But City are prepared to bide their time in the hope of getting their man.

“The biggest thing is that Celtic are in a position of strength. We are disappointed not to be moving that situation forward, but I will not give up on that,” Grant said.

“I'd like to bring David to Carrow Road and I think he would go on to be an excellent goalkeeper for Norwich City.”

Marshall made five appearances on loan last season, the last of them when he injured his ankle in the FA Cup fifth round at Chelsea.

He has a year left on his contract at Parkhead, but has made no secret of his interest in joining the Canaries.

But Celtic's plans for Marshall remain unclear because of continuing uncertainty over Polish first-choice goalkeeper Artur Boruc's future.

There was further doubt over Boruc's intentions today after he revealed he would not turn down the chance to play for a “better club”.

The 27-year-old Poland international, who has been linked with AC Milan and several top English clubs, reportedly told a Polish newspaper: “I can't complain about anything. But if there is a chance to play at a better club, why not?

“All the time I'm doing everything I can to become a better goalkeeper. I can't stop as it would mean moving backwards.

“There are still many challenges in Scotland. The derby against Rangers drives the whole league. Only for those games is it worth staying at Celtic.”

Meanwhile, reports linking current City 'keeper Paul Gallacher with another club north of the border have been dismissed.

Scotland international Gallacher, 27, was reported at the weekend to be a target for Aberdeen after first choice Jamie Langfield was axed from the senior squad at Pittodrie for a string of disciplinary breaches.

But Dons manager Jimmy Calderwood insists he is not looking for another 'keeper.

Calderwood said: “My phone has been ringing with lots of agents offering me goalkeepers over the weekend, but I'm not interested.

“Derek Soutar will get his chance in the first team, but Jamie Langfield is still contracted for a year and will play if needed.

“Those two will both play in pre-season games and young Greg Kelly may also get an opportunity to play for the first team in the warm-up matches. I'm comfortable with that and am not in the market for another goalkeeper.”

Gallacher has already been mentioned as a possible target for Rangers and Hibernian, but has stressed his determination to fight for a first-team place with the Canaries, with whom he has a contract until the end of next season.