Head coach Ronny Deila is confident that James Forrest will sign a new contract after becoming a regular fixture in the Celtic first team this season.

The 24-year-old has been at the Scottish champions since 2004 when he joined the youth ranks and the winger managed to make the progression into the senior team six years later.

He has been used on a rotational basis but the Scot, who has 12 international caps, is starting to prove his worth in the current campaign.

Forrest, who has featured 10 times in the league which is just nine outings short of last season’s tally, is reportedly attracting interest after some impressive performances, but Deila is confident an agreement will be reached over extending his stay at Celtic Park.

“James is definitely the next that we would like to get in and sign a new contract and get it out of the way,” he said.

“James and I speak all the time and we would be hopeful that he will agree new terms to stay because he is another important player for us.”

Deila is also confident of getting Leigh Griffiths to sign a new deal at the club, with the striker also expected to put pen-to-paper in the coming days.

Celtic are currently top of the table by four points from second-placed Aberdeen and they look on course to retain the title they won comfortably last season.

Next up for the Bhoys is a home clash against Motherwell on Saturday and the hosts are 1.13 favourites to clinch all three points, while the draw is priced at 7.50 and the visitors are big outsiders at 19.00.