Celtic: Bucs duo not yet signed

Cape Town - Bloemfontein Celtic have reacted angrily to reports claiming they have signed Orlando Pirates duo Helder Pelembe and Mthokozisi Dube.

Reports emerged in the local press on Sunday, suggesting that Pelembe and Dube had signed on the dotted line with Phunya Sele Sele.

Celtic Managing Director, Rali Ramabodu, confirmed that the club are indeed locked in negotiations with the aforementioned players, but was quick to point out that Sunday's reports had jumped the gun.

However, Ramabodu did reveal that the Buccaneers had given the duo permission to train with Celtic in the interim.

Ramabodu told the club's official website: "We are shocked and somehow perturbed to read stories about the signing of the two players from Pirates.

"We unreservedly apologise to Pirates for the false story mentioned on those platforms. We are currently negotiating with them for the release of both players and have in fact sought permission for those players to train with us while negotiations continue.

"The bottom line is we have not yet signed the two players."