Brendan Rodgers has revealed Daniel Cummings was ill in the warm-up for Celtic B as he explained the reason for the youngster's absence against Motherwell.
Cummings, 18, was not involved in the matchday squad at Fir Park as rumours swirl over a possible transfer exit this month.
The teenager is out of contract in the summer but is expected to be offered a new deal at Parkhead.
However, Sky Sports have reported that Cummings is in advanced talks over a pre-contract move to West Ham.
Any agreement would see Cummings depart Celtic in the summer, unless a transfer fee is agreed for a move before Monday's deadline.
A bid of around £500k is thought to be on the table from West Ham for the forward who has been in fine goalscoring form for the Celtic B team this season.
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Asked about Cummings in his post-match press conference, Rodgers said: “He was with the second team yesterday and he was ill in the warm-up, so he didn't play.
“I believe there's interest from another club for him, but that's been the case with a lot of our young players.
“You get to a certain age where they have their contract running out, and then they have a decision to make.
“Do they stay and follow the example of a Callum McGregor, for example, trust the club, be patient and knowing that you might not be right ready at 17, 18, but you have to be a special talent to be.
“Can you just be patient and wait a little bit longer? Or do you do what a lot of players have done and take the opportunity at 18 to look elsewhere?
“So, I think that's the situation that young Daniel is with his agents. We will just wait and see what happens.”
