Manager Ronny Deila has confirmed that Celtic are keen for James Forrest to sign a new contract.

The 24-year-old's current deal at Parkhead is due to expire at the end of the season, when he would become a free agent.

However, Deila has revealed that the Scottish champions want to tie Forrest down to fresh terms.

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

"We have started to see the form he is capable of this season and when he is fit and pain free he is a great talent. We would love to get him signed up. Hopefully that will happen. He is happy here and we are happy with him.

"He wants to stay and we want him here so it should not be a problem. He can be a big player for Celtic because he is very talented. We just need to keep him fit and injury free."

Scotland international Forrest came through the ranks at Celtic and has made over 150 appearances for the club.