RONNY DEILA, the Celtic manager, wants the club to thrash out a new deal with Kris Commons as soon as possible.
Deila said he was optimistic that a deal will be done because of Commons' age, with older players "easier to deal with" than younger ones according to the Norwegian. Commons has missed Celtic's last four games - all of them wins - since his last appearance in the home defeat to Hamilton. The 31-year-old has scored five times in 15 games this season, though, and was last season's top scorer with 32.
Commons is believed to be settled in Glasgow but the delay in agreeing a new contract - his current deal ends in May - has inevitably led to fears that he may return to English football. Deila would like the matter to be resolved quickly. "I want him to stay, of course," he said. "There's nothing new there. The only new thing is his injury.
"We need to assess what is going on all the time. Older players are easier to deal with than 19-year-old players. We have more control over the situation when players are older, and also you assess more things as they get older. He's important in the group and in the team.
"Of course we want it sorted. Everyone wants that. It's up to the club and Kris to get an agreement."
Commons has been absent for longer than expected after suffering a muscle injury in his backside, but Celtic are hopeful that he will return soon and possibly even be available for the squad to face Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Parkhead this afternoon. "We won't take any chances," said Deila. "There has been improvement so hopefully he will be in the team quickly."
After seven wins and two draws from the opening 11 matches, Inverness manager John Hughes feels his men - who beat Celtic 1-0 in August and are three points ahead of them - have earned the right to venture south with belief and optimism.
"All I will say to the players is 'don't hide from it'. The hardest thing to do at a place like Celtic Park is be brave and get on the ball, make it happen. If you're half a yard behind players, hiding, it's going to be a long day. You've got to be big, strong, brave.
"I've taken them through the scenario, having experienced playing there at Parkhead, of Celtic winning the game in the tunnel. But I trust them all, so why should they go there with trepidation?"
Celtic's SPFL Premiership home game against Partick Thistle has been rescheduled for next Wednesday. The fixture was postponed on the first day of the season because of the Commonwealth Games.
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