Bayern Munich: Craig Bellamy

Bayern Munich could be set to make a surprise bid for Celtic's on-loan Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy.

The Wales international, who is yet to learn the extent of the hamstring injury which forced him out of the win at Rangers on Sunday, has become a fans' favourite since joining the Hoops on loan from Newcastle in January.

Martin O'Neill is determined to sign the player permanently, but could face competition from the German giants after Bayern executive Uli Hoeness labelled the 25-year-old "the best player on the field" following a Sunday scouting mission to Ibrox.

Even though Bellamy limped off with a hamstring strain two minutes into the second half, the watching former West Germany international was hugely impressed.

He said: "There were two or three players we had discussed and we wanted to see. In my opinion, Bellamy was the best player on the field."

Despite a chequered record for injuries and disciplinary matters, the former Coventry and Norwich star will not be short of offers in the summer.

His erstwhile international boss Mark Hughes has indicated Blackburn will make a bid, while Birmingham may revive their interest after failing with a £6million move in the January transfer window.

Meanwhile, O'Neill continues to pile the pressure on Parkhead bosses by apparently making Bellamy's transfer a deal-breaker for his own future.

Chairman Brian Quinn and chief executive Peter Lawwell continue to make positive noises but it is unknown whether Bellamy, who is rarely under-sells himself, is keen on playing in the one-dimensional SPL full time.

However, Lawwell hopes the current successful spell can help convince the player to stay in Glasgow.

Lawwell told the Daily Record: "Anyone watching Craig Bellamy on Sunday could not fail to see he is a special player. I'm already on record as saying we'll do everything in our power to keep him at Celtic Park.

"He will no doubt have several offers on the table but he's certainly a player everyone connected with the club wants to keep here.

"There are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration - not least where Craig wants to play his football next season. But, hopefully, his experience at Celtic has been an overwhelmingly positive one and this can only be a major plus in our favour."

I really don't think he will go to Bayern, wouldn't suit him. He needs to stay in England or at Celtic, not the sort of player Bayern would go for, they were probably looking at Fernando Ricksen!

He wouldnt go to Germany ! I know that. He needs to stay in England to help his Welsh career also ! But he wont stay in Scotland as it will be to easy for him, and the tempo will be to slow, Blackburn for me !