Celtic manager Martin O'Neill remains confident that Bulgarian international Stilian Petrov will commit his future to the Parkhead club by signing a new contract.
Petrov has attracted the interest of a host of top European clubs with his recent displays from club and country and O'Neill is ready to reward him with a new improved contract.
The Bulgarian has two years to go on his current contract, so O'Neill is not in any particular hurry to get a deal done, but he is still keen to pin Petrov down. "Nothing has materialised yet - but I am sure over the next couple of weeks we will sit down and have discussions. There is nothing to report because it's been a hectic last few days, but I don't see any problems," the Celtic boss said.
"He has another three years left to run on his contract - so I wouldn'timagine the situation is that desperate. I would have thought that we would get the time and something will be negotiated before then and I'm sure it would be," he added.
O'Neill also insisted that Celtic are in no hurry to cash in on Colin Healy and will not let him leave the club on the cheap. "Colin Healy is wanting to play first-team football and if the opportunity arises elsewhere then he would want to take it. I've told him I will keep him informed," O'Neill said.
"Everton's offer fell short of my valuation so I thought I might as well keep him. We have to try and keep the squad together because we are involved in four competitions."
Filed by Rob Wright
