Joe Ledley: Celtic need another striker... and I'm not joining Cardiff

JOE LEDLEY wants Celtic to recruit a striker for their assault on the Champions League and the defence of their Scottish crown.

Joe Ledley wants to help Celtic retain the SPL crown

The champions head into the new campaign without prolific forward Gary Hooper after he sealed a move to Norwich.

But Ledley has every faith in Anthony Stokes' ability to help plug the gap and weigh in with some goals - providing he has a partner.

The midfielder said: "I think [we need] another striker.

Celtic star Joe Ledley

“Another striker would be nice but that's down to the gaffer”

Joe Ledley

"No disrespect to any that we've got but, with losing Gary, you've got to think of injuries as well.

"Another striker would be nice but that's down to the gaffer and the coaching staff to bring someone in.

"We all believe in Anthony Stokes. He's a fantastic player and since he's been here he has scored a lot of goals.

"Hopefully, we can get a nice partnership with him and a new striker that we bring in."

Ledley insists he's not moving back to Cardiff

Welsh international Ledley has been linked with a move to Cardiff, the club he quit for the Hoops in 2010.

Ledley admits the prospect of playing in the Premier League is a big attraction for some players but insists his focus is on Celtic.

He said: "It's just rumours at the moment. There has been nothing official.

"A lot of players want to play in the Premier League and that's why they have done pretty well with their signings so far.

"It does attract people but, at the moment, I'm with Celtic and I'm just concentrating on a big week ahead of me."