TALKS TODAY

TALKS will begin today over a new contract for Celtic winger James Forrest, as CQN indicated yesterday.

The Scottish international’s representative is due to sit down for talks with Hoopes chief executive Peter Lawwell this afternoon.

Forrest, 25, is a free agent at the turn of the year, but boss Brendan Rodgers wants him signed up to an extension to keep him at Parkhead.

Last December, former gaffer Ronny Deila admitted that Forrest’s agent had gone into hiding when it came to negotiating a new deal.

The Norwegian said: “We have tried to get hold of his agent, so you can write that when he has time, he can come in and discuss an offer.

“We have tried for a while, so, hopefully, he will come – like Santa. Maybe he has a lot to do. I don’t know how many players he has. It doesn’t concern me, but, hopefully, we will get contact now and start talking.”

Under Deila those talks never took place, but with Rodgers in charge a new deal seems likely.

Despite his contract running down, the Irishman has kept Forrest involved with his side and was rewarded with the opening goal in the dramatic 2-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday.