Kris eager to remain at Hibs

KRIS COMMONS last night insisted he would love to be part of Hibernian’s promotion push — if Celtic are prepared to let him return to Easter Road for the remainder of the season.

Signed on an emergency one-month loan by his old Parkhead boss Neil Lennon, Commons completed his short-term stint with his second goal for the club in a 1-0 victory at Dumbarton yesterday.

His strike moved Hibs six points clear at the top of the Championship table and, with the team also set to begin its defence of the Scottish Cup, the 33-year-old admits there is plenty of appeal in extending his stay in the capital.

Talks are due to commence between Commons, his representatives and Celtic tomorrow. Brendan Rodgers’ Premiership leaders flew home

from their winter training camp in Dubai yesterday and Commons has been told by his manager that he has no future at Parkhead.

With both Hibs and Commons keen to extend the loan, finance remains an obstacle. Hibs have made a nominal contribution to Commons’ pay over the past month but Celtic would prefer to remove him completely from the wage bill.

‘I’d like to think I have contributed in my time here at Hibs but they have helped me out just as much,’ said Commons. ‘It’s been a pleasure to play here.

‘Obviously, going for championships and winning trophies… if this team could get promotion it would be a big thing for Edinburgh and the Premiership. If I can be a part of that, it will be great.

‘I need to speak to Celtic first. For me, it’s about sitting down with the right people and finding out what my next move is.’

Lennon said: ‘I think he’d like to stay but I don’t know what our chances are of keeping him.’