Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson has dismissed reports linking Antoine Semenyo with moves to Celtic and Rangers.

Both Glasgow teams have been mentioned as potential suitors for the Ghanaian, who played in two group games at the World Cup. However, Pearson says neither club has made contact with the Robins:

“I’ve seen some stories about Antoine coming out of Scotland and, to my knowledge, there’s been nothing from clubs in Scotland. These stories are designed to create some sort of an interest. Who starts them off, who knows? But it’s normally someone with a vested interest in getting a deal done and they’re generally representatives and third and fourth parties. We have to take with a pinch of salt what’s out there in the media sometimes, no disrespect to you.”

It should be noted that Semenyo’s representative has publicly stated that Celtic have registered their interest in the 22-year-old, although it may be the case that an approach was made to the agent but never followed up with the club.

The main reason for that was probably the cost of the transfer. Various reports in the local media around Bristol have suggested that the English side were demanding around £15m to £20m for the player. At that price, Celtic were never likely to get involved.

Semenyo’s contract situation could have given the Hoops a chance of getting the player on the cheap. The forward’s current deal was set to expire at the end of the season but that avenue has also closed, with Pearson confirming that Bristol City have triggered an automatic one-year extension keeping him at Ashton Gate until 2024.