Exclusive: EFE AMBROSE Confirms Celtic Interest, Faces Work Permit Problems

As first reported by the United Kingdom edition of the Daily Mail a month ago, Scotland's heavyweights Celtic are tracking the Nigeria international center-back Efe Ambrose.

The 23-year-old MS Ashdod utility player who tested with Manchester City in February has confirmed to allnigeriasoccer.com the interest from the Glasgow club.

''I can confirm my agent, Dudu Dahan is negotiating with Celtic and I hope all works out well. For now all I can say is that I am praying about this dream move and I believe God's will will be done,'' Ambrose, who is expected to be named in the Super Eagles squad to face Liberia in September, told allnigeriasoccer.com.

What could be a bottle - neck in Ambrose's proposed move to Glasgow Celtic is work permit issues. As things stand, the one - time Kaduna United man has played only 70 percent of Nigeria's National Team matches in the last two years.

Put it in this way, Celtic must convince the authorities that Ambrose is a talented youngster and his arrival at Parkhead will be invaluable to the Premier League.

Transfer market experts value Ambrose at a modest 400,000 euros. He is under contract with MS Ashdod until June 2013, with an option for an additional two seasons written into the deal.