Celtic are not currently looking to sign another centre-back, with Martin O’Neill happy with the options already available to him. That comes as Courier Sport reports that Dundee have enquired about taking Dane Murray to Dens Park.
Celtic turned down the approach and are not prepared to sanction a loan move at this stage.
The 23-year-old made 16 appearances for Celtic last season and is currently being kept as part of the defensive cover available to the manager.
Celtic are not actively searching for another central defender during the current window.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty started together in the Premiership opener, while Murray provides another option behind the first-choice pairing.
Keeping him at the club also gives O’Neill added depth during a period when Celtic are preparing for European qualifiers and the opening weeks of the domestic campaign.
The position could change should a defender leave or an injury create a gap in the squad, but there is no immediate plan to bring in another centre-back.
Celtic’s decision to reject Dundee’s enquiry also indicates Murray remains close enough to O’Neill’s plans to be called upon when required.
The club’s recruitment work is instead centred on other areas of the squad.
That leaves centre-back further down the list, with O’Neill satisfied that he has enough options in the position for now.
For Murray, the decision means he will remain at Celtic and compete for first-team minutes rather than head out on another temporary move.
His inclusion on the bench against Dundee offered an early sign of where he currently stands, and the club’s response to the Dens Park enquiry has now made that position clearer.
