Ex-Newcastle United striker targeted by Celtic after Rafa Benitez rejection

Toney is being targeted by the Scottish Premiership champions after a prolific season in League One with Peterborough United.

Peterborough director of football Barry Fry has suggested that Toney is valued at more than double Celtic’s first bid.

"We received a bid for Ivan from Celtic on Friday and we turned them down flat,” Fry told the Daily Mail. "What's it going to take to get him? It’ll take a lot more than Celtic offered. It's their first bid, so I don't know, they might come back.

"I know Celtic are after another striker down here as well, but if we keep Toney, and get to the Championship, that's worth £12.5million to us. I've told the lad that."

Toney, signed by Newcastle from Northampton Town in 2015, said he wasn’t given a chance at United by Rafa Benitez in an interview earlier this year.

"When he came in, I was injured at the time, and he put the injured lads at the bottom end, so it was kind of tough to take,” said the 24-year-old.

"Rafa’s a great manager, but, personally, I don't think I was given that chance. That's my opinion on it – others may feel different."

Toney – who made four first-team appearances for Newcastle – scored 26 goals in all competitions for Peterborough this season. United inserted a sell-on clause in the deal that took him to Peterborough.