JOE LEDLEY has played down speculation surrounding a summer reunion with Cardiff City and will sit down at the start of next season to talk about extending his stay with Celtic.
The Welshman has been linked with a possible move back to his former club as Cardiff prepare for their return to the top flight of English football for the first time since 1962 following their title success in the nPower Championship.
Ledley spent 14 years with his boyhood heroes after coming through the ranks before moving to Celtic in 2010 on a free transfer.
His former club remain close to his heart but he revealed yesterday that moving back home is not in his immediate plans, citing the opportunity to win medals and play in the Champions League as reasons why he hopes to remain with Celtic for the foreseeable future.
"I'll always be linked with Cardiff," he said as he helped promote ESPN's coverage of Celtic's match away to Ross County on Sunday. "Obviously, it's nice to be linked with any club, but I've heard nothing and all I can do is concentrate on Celtic.
"I had a fantastic time at Cardiff and I learned all my stuff there. I'll never forget that, but I've moved on now and I'm here. That's in the past.
"The fans at Celtic have been brilliant since day one and I've loved every minute of being here. Not many clubs give you the opportunity of medals and Champions League and it would be very difficult if anything did happen to move away from here.
"I love it here and Celtic offer you so much. You go and you need to win and that's a great pressure to have as a footballer. Having been here, I don't think you'll play for a bigger club."
Ledley's deal with the Scottish champions runs out next summer but talks on an extension will continue at the start of next season. With Celtic still in the hunt for a domestic double – they play Hibernian in the William Hill Scottish Cup final on May 26 – the Wales internationalist believes it is the right thing to do.
"I don't think there will be talks now until next season," added Ledley. "I haven't spoken to my agent or the club, so I think both parties are happy to sit down at the beginning of next season and see where we go from there. It's the right thing to do, especially with the [cup] final coming up. I just want to concentrate on playing and winning the double for myself and the club."
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