The team has qualified for the lucrative European Champions League and Jordan's investment coincides with Celtic's recent share offering, which offers investors returns linked to the team's success in the European competition after a renaissance in the 2000-2001 under new coach Martin O�Neill.

Jordan is a close friend of mega-rich Irish entrepreneur Dermot Desmond, who owns a large stake in Celtic. Both have large interests in the horse racing world as well.

Celtic, which is hoping to raise $37.5m from the share offer, said it was unaware of Jordan�s interest, but the Irishman's name was included in the new allocation of shares announced on Tuesday morning in an extraordinary general meeting to approve the terms of the offer.