Keane is an admirer of the 22-year-old Republic of Ireland star, having been a team-mate at international level and at Parkhead two years ago.

Now he wants to test Celtic’s resolve by putting a cash-plus-player offer on the table for McGeady, who was voted Scotland’s Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year by his fellow pros last season.

Keane knows he needs more flair in his team and he regards McGeady, capped 18 times, as the man to provide it, which is why he is prepared to top the £9m he paid to Hearts for Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon last year.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan, who has made three unsuccessful bids to land Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty from Burnley this year, may
be tempted by the offer of Stokes.

The Scottish champions first tried to sign the striker as a youngster but couldn’t match the financial offer made to him by Arsenal.

He took the SPL by storm two seasons ago when, on loan from Arsene Wenger’s side to Falkirk, he notched 16 goals in as many games before Christmas.

That earned the 20-year-old Dubliner a £2m move to Sunderland but he has struggled to make an impact at the Stadium of Light, scoring just three goals in 35 appearances.

His only Premiership strike was a last-minute winner against Derby County.