O'Neill hopeful over Petrov talks

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is confident midfielder Stilian Petrov will remain at the club.

The Bulgarian international has yet to agree a new deal with the Bhoys and claimed at the weekend he would walk away from Parkhead.

But O’Neill believes Petrov, who was dropped for the win at Dundee United on Sunday, will sign a new deal with the club.

O’Neill said: “My hope is that perhaps, if we can speak to Stilian and his agent together, we will still be able to reach a more satisfactory conclusion.

“As far as I can see, the person who stands to lose most from the current state of affairs is Stan [Petrov].

“After all, as things stand, he still has two-and-a-half years left to run on his current terms.

“You know that I don’t go into fine detail about anyone’s contract publicly, but what I will say is that I was very hopeful that a deal could be struck that would have suited Stilian, the club and certainly the fans.

“There’s no doubt that Stan thoroughly deserves his current contract re-negotiated because, during my time here at least, his play has been consistently excellent.

“I’ve said that all along though, and the furore at the weekend has done nothing to alter my view on things.”

Meanwhile, Petrov’s agent, Latchezar Tanev is also hopeful a solution can be found.

Tanev said: “We will have to wait and see what will happen and I will be able to say more after I have spoken to Martin O’Neill.

“But it is important to say that we are not thinking of a transfer.

“I never lose sight of my player’s wishes and he has never requested a change of clubs.”