Celtic have lost out to Blackburn Rovers in the race to sign Maceo Rigters, the NAC Breda striker. The Dutch Under21 forward had looked set for a move to the Scottish champions after they were given permission to open talks with the 23-year-old.

However, Rigters’ agent said that the player – who had also been linked with Rangers – had signed a four-year deal with the English Premiership club for an undisclosed fee. Rigters scored four goals during Holland’s winning run in last month's European Under21 Championship, including the spectacular overhead kick in the last minute against England that led to Holland securing an epic penalty shoot-out victory.

John Williams, the Blackburn chairman, said: “We have been following him for some time after Mark Hughes identified him as a player he would be interested in.”

Inverness Caledonian Thistle have agreed terms with Dean McDonald, the Gillingham striker. The 21-year-old is expected to sign today after undergoing a medical.

Graeme Bennett, the Inverness director of football, said: “Dean has accepted terms and we’ve sorted things out with Gillingham. We anticipate the paperwork being completed in time for Dean to be our player on Tuesday. If so, he’ll start training immediately with the squad.”

McDonald scored six goals in 30 appearances for Gillingham last season and had a year left on his contract. He joined the Coca-Cola League One side a year ago from Ipswich Town, where he made 14 appearances.

The former Arsenal trainee also had a loan spell at Hartlepool while at Portman Road.

Two Austrian league players will arrive at the Clydesdale Bank Premier League club today. Dominique Taboga, a 24-year-old centre half, and Benedict Bauer, a 20-year-old striker, will have a week’s trial with the Highland club.