Celtic's Crainey wants move to England

Celtic defender Stephen Crainey is set for a move to England, although Sunderland have still to officially register their interest.

The Scotland international has decided to leave his boyhood favourites in favour of furthering his career south of the border.

The 22-year-old, who is also reportedly interesting Leicester, does not fit into Martin O’Neill’s ideal three-man defence.

Now Crainey, who has been strongly linked with a move the Stadium of Light where Hoops midfielder Colin Healy is also a target, is set to continue his career in England, according to his agent Blair Morgan.

Morgan said: “There is interest down south which we are developing at the moment but it is too early to comment on just yet.

“We are fairly hopeful something positive will develop from that.

“As a Celtic supporter, his choice would be to play every match for Celtic. But given the tactical selection at Celtic in terms of a back three, Stephen is not a central defender – he is a left-back or a left-sided defender.

“He has reached the conclusion his future lies elsewhere.

“Stephen would prefer to stay at Celtic but he is a realist and is looking forward to a career in the English leagues.”