English trio preparing to battle for Simunovic

CELTIC face a fight to keep defender Jozo Simunovic, with the £9million-rated Croat attracting attention from Premier League sides Newcastle United, Huddersfield Town and Burnley. The 22-year-old, who has three years left on his contract, has been impressive at Celtic and has developed further under Brendan Rodgers since seeing a move to Torino fall through last summer. Spartak Moscow who, like Celtic, won their domestic league this season, are also looking at Simunovic to strengthen ahead of the Champions League after watching him in recent months. Zoran Krneta of Star Sports and Entertainment, who represent Simunovic, said: ‘Jozo is in no rush. We have clubs calling showing an interest all the time but as far as I’m aware no offers have been made. ‘I’m sure Peter Lawwell will let us know if an offer is accepted but until then he is looking forward to next season with Celtic.’ Jonny Hayes, meanwhile, last

night agreed personal terms with Celtic and the Dubliner will now undergo a medical before putting pen to paper on a three-year deal. The 29-year-old was free to talk with the Scottish champions after a £1.3m fee was agreed with Aberdeen and yesterday thrashed out the finer details of his contract. Still to return from his summer holiday, Hayes will go through the formalities of the medical before being officially paraded by the club. The Republic of Ireland winger scored against Celtic in Aberdeen’s Scottish Cup final defeat last month. Under contract at Pittodrie until 2019, he had also been linked with English Championship outfit Cardiff City but the Welsh club’s manager Neil Warnock pulled out of the race to sign him this week. The former Leicester City player previously worked with Celtic manager Rodgers at Reading. Hayes has made 206 Aberdeen appearances in all competitions, scoring 30 goals, since arriving from Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2012. Meanwhile, Celtic’s hopes of also having Patrick Roberts on board for the new season appear to be diminishing after it emerged the winger has held talks with Nice over a loan move. Now back at Manchester City, the 20-year-old forward was targeted by the French club as they plan for the Champions League. It’s believed Celtic are one of a dozen clubs chasing the former Fulham player’s services, with interest across England, Portugal and Germany including Huddersfield, Porto and Schalke. Celtic are believed to have lodged a bid to sign the player permanently but have so far failed to reach City’s valuation.