Hartson 'closer' to new Celtic deal

John Hartson is “moving closer” to signing a contract extension with Celtic.

The Welsh international’s current deal is set to expire in the summer and he had been linked with a move back to the Premiership.

However, Hartson’s representative Jonathan Barnett said he did not expect the 29-year-old to sign today.

“We are negotiating with Celtic every single day and if we get to an agreement then he will sign and an announcement will be made and if we don‘t reach an agreement then we won‘t be doing anything,” he said.

“But things are ongoing and we are talking every day. I will say that things are moving closer but he will not be signing a new contract today. After that who knows?”

Celtic chairman Brian Quinn and manager Martin O‘Neill expressed confidence over the weekend that the former Coventry, Wimbledon, West Ham, Arsenal and Luton striker would agree new terms with the Scottish champions.

The club are also negotiating new deals with the likes of Bobo Balde, Neil Lennon, Jackie McNamara, Joos Valgaeren and Robert Douglas.