Neil Lennon is poised to offer Kris Commons a deal that would see him stay at Celtic beyond the end of his playing career.
The Hoops plan to exercise their option to extend the midfield star’s contract by an extra year.
And as the manager, who also remains optimistic of persuading Georgios Samaras to stay, explains, that isn’t the end of their hopes for him.
“We absolutely will be taking up the option on Kris,” he said of the 30-year-old. “We haven’t pushed the button on it yet, but we will do as he is a player we want to keep. He has been fantastic for us in the last couple of seasons.
“I will speak to him maybe with a view to staying on here afterwards as well, perhaps in a coaching capacity. I think it is something he has got the talent for and, certainly, the personality as well.
“It would offer him the kind of start I had, and from the club’s point of view it would give us someone who really understands Celtic.”
Last season it was alleged a fall out between the pair had turned physical after Commons was pictured wearing a protective face mask in training.
“I don’t know where that came from,” said Lennon. “I have never lifted a hand to a player and I never will. There was never an issue.
“Kris was injured for long periods of that season, and found it difficult to replicate the form from when he first came in. Now he has found it again. In fact, he is even better now.”
And while the Irishman has admitted he stands to lose keeper Fraser Forster to a big bid, he remains upbeat about the chances of keeping Samaras.
“I had a chat with Georgios on last Friday night before the Hibs game,” he said. “I am going to speak to his representatives pretty soon. So hopefully he will stay.
“It is all about negotiations at the end of the day, but he is someone who has always been more interested in his own happiness than money.
“There is a willingness from his side to speak, and there is a willingness from us to keep him, which is fantastic.”
Joe Ledley, who is likewise out of contract in the summer and came to Celtic on a Bosman, is considering his options. Lennon conceded the Welshman could head for pastures new.
“There have been talks with Joe,” he said. “He is aware of the offer on the table, and I think he is mulling it over at the minute.
“It can happen that players leave under free agency.
“But we will do everything we can to try and keep Joe.”
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