No matter who the manager at Celtic is next season, it looks like the Hoops are moving ahead with plans for next season.
Interim boss Neil Lennon has confirmed that the Hoops are in contract talks with three players. The trio of Mikael Lustig, Scott Sinclair and Nir Bitton.
“Discussions are still ongoing”
“Discussions are still ongoing at the minute. [Lustig] and a few others are speaking as well, like Scott Sinclair and Nir Bitton as well, that’s ongoing at the minute” Lennon said, as reported by the Scotsman.
Lustig’s situation is the most pressing, as his contract expires in the summer, and he could leave on a free transfer.
Both Bitton and Sinclair have a year remaining on their current deals.
First on the list
If the deals are getting made in order of priority, then a new contract for Sinclair would have to be first on the list.
He has been excellent for the Hoops in the three seasons he has been at the club. He has reached double figures in goals in each of those seasons, and that would not be easy to replace.
Lustig and Bitton have been fine servants to Celtic. However, injuries and a loss of form have stunted their impact in the last season or two.
Celtic are being sensible in having the discussions now, as they would prefer not to have any of the players leave on a free transfer. The weeks ahead will determine how successful the talks have been.
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