Neil Lennon has started talking to Beram Kayal in a bid to fend off interest from a number of English clubs. Kayal enjoyed a dream debut season at Parkhead after arriving from Maccabi Haifa last summer. Clubs of the stature of Aston Villa and Bolton have been said to be interested in the Israeli international, but Celtic are ready to offer him a lucrative contract extension to keep him at Parkhead.
Kayal said: "Celtic spoke with me this week and we have opened negotiations on a new contract. Last season I received quite a few offers but I told all the clubs I want to be at Celtic. It's very important to me that myself and Celtic are satisfied with my new deal. I have a new agent now and I expect him to tie up my new deal. It's nice to get other proposals but it is most important for me to stay."