KRIS IS HERE TO STAY
Commons will sign up for Euro mission
KRIS COMMONS l ast ni ght dismissed talk of a return to English f ootball with newly- promoted Leicester city.
celtic have a one-year option on the 31-year-old’s contract, which they plan to exercise this summer.
As Sportsmail first revealed, however, Leicester boss Nigel Pearson is keen to take the former Stoke city, Nottingham Forest and Derby attacker back south as he prepares for life in the Premier League next season.
commons marked the capture of a third successive title and a personal tally of 27 goals by being shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award in Glasgow yesterday.
The former Scotland international is considered
joint favourite alongside Parkhead team-mate Virgil van Dijk. Celtic keeper Fraser Forster and Kilmarnock’s Kris Boyd complete the nominations. His attention already focused on July’s Champions League qualifiers, however, Commons insists he has no great wish to return to England. ‘I’m not a kid any more,’ the Celtic midfielder said. ‘The grass isn’t always greener elsewhere and I’ve already played down south. ‘Most players might think they’d like a crack at the Premier League — but when you play in the Champions League and try to be competitive with Europe’s elite, then that’s the biggest thing for me. ‘That’s why I’m going to get myself as fit and sharp and good as I can be for our qualifying ties in July. ‘I feel as though I have unfinished business in the Champions League. ‘We did really well last season but didn’t do ourselves justice this time out. ‘So I want to get back into the group stage and do better — but we know how tough it is just to get there.’ While the English Premier League reaches a thrilling climax, Celtic have already tied up a third consecutive championship. Insisting life in Glasgow
“Want to get back in the group stage”
retains ample appeal, however, Commons continued: ‘It doesn’t really bother me that Scottish football doesn’t have a great reputation in England. ‘Most people down there who say that would be jealous of what we have at Celtic. ‘Just about any of our home games has a better atmosphere than everything down south, big derbies apart.’ Commons has yet to hear formally that Celtic will take up the 12-month option on his contract. But manager Neil Lennon has already said it will happen, news the midfielder welcomes. ‘I’ve still got a year left on my contract and I’m only 31 — it’s not as if I’m 35 or 36 and trying to nick another 12 months,’ he said. ‘But I’ve never felt as good or scored as many goals. I’m enjoying my football so, hopefully, something will be sorted out sooner or later but I’m in no rush. ‘Any player going into his last year will hear things out there. ‘You’ll watch which games Neil Lennon is going to and who he’s supposed to be looking at, although I don’t think that’s concrete evidence. ‘As soon as professional footballers start taking their minds off what they’re paid to do and start believing that other clubs are looking at them, then that’s when their performances start slipping. ‘It’s hard to say I’ve got a luxurious lifestyle — I train every day and I’ve got three kids. ‘But I don’t want to leave Glasgow. I love the people and I’m very happy here.’