Celts close in on deal for Fletch
FROM BACK PAGE one-year deal but the hitman is holding out for a longer contract.
But Hoops boss Neil Lennon is keen on bolstering his attack by adding the ex-Hibs, Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday ace and are confident both sides can strike an agreement.
Scotland star Fletcher is a free agent and believed to be targeting a return north of the border following a successful decade down south.
Meanwhile Hoops stopper Christopher Jullien isn’t worried by the big-money arrivals at Ibrox after Steven Gerrard splashed the cash on strikers Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten.
Celts have brought in £4.5million keeper Vasilis Barkas and are still in the hunt for £9m-rated Peterborough frontman Ivan Toney and West Ham hitman Albian Ajeti.
And £7m centre-back Jullien said: “Every team in the league will try to sign new players.
“We know that the rivalry with Rangers is really big. They want to have some players in their team. That’s normal because they want to defeat the champions.
“Today we are the champions and we know every team is going to come stronger. We are ready for it.”
Peterborough are playing hardball over Toney following a failed £5m bid and Ajeti asking for time to consider his options, having been offered a loan deal with a view to a permanent Parkhead switch next summer.
Celtic have been alerted by Crystal Palace midfielder James McCarthy being touted as a potential Aston Villa recruit. But the long-term Hoops target is expected to be offered a contract extension at Selhurt Park.
Celts also facing a fight to hang on to Odsonne Edouard with Arsenal and Leicester City in the hunt.