JOHANSEN SET FOR SUMMER EXIT SPECULATION

The midfielder still has 12 months to run on the three-and-a-half year deal he agreed when ex-boss Neil Lennon paid £2million to sign him from Stromsgodset in January 2014.

However, Johansen has resisted offers to extend his contract and the Hoops are likely to sell before last season’s PFA Player of the Year is allowed to talk to interested clubs in January before walking away for nothing at the end of next season.

The 25-year-old international has been repeatedly linked with clubs in the German Bundesliga, with SV Hamburg reported to be among the frontrunners.

Johansen, who is represented by Deila’s representative Tore Pedersen, has refused to comment on his contractual situation this year.

He said: “We are in talks. That’s all I can say and we will take it from there.

“I have no comment about it. You need to speak to my agent. Always in the past, I don’t comment about this.  I know we are in talks and we’ll see what happens.”

After the highs of the previous campaign, the player has struggled to replicate his outstanding form this time around.

He was anonymous as the Hoops toppled out of the Scottish Cup last weekend and his sale would at least remove a midfielder from a congested area in the squad.

The incoming manager would then be afforded the opportunity to encourage the likes of Ryan Christie and Scott Allan, who have been largely overlooked by Deila this season. However both were set to be given their opportunity next term by the Norwegian.

It will now be a matter for the next  Celtic manager to look at the incredibly large squad at Parkhead, trim it back while trying to add quality. Another striker to assist Leigh Griffiths has to be a priority. If Stefan Johansen is to make way for this to happen he’ll go with our best wishes and thanks for his contribution, especially last season.