A WEEK IS A LONG TIME IN FOOTBALL, this time last week Celtic were bizarrely being linked with a move for Crystal Palace’s James McCarthy, a player that the club have been reportedly linked with a number of times. Now, reports indicate that the Irishman is set to hold contract talks with the London club.

The Sun are reporting that the 29-year-old is keen to open contract talks with Roy Hodgson’s Premier League side.

The former Hamilton and Wigan midfielder grew up a Celtic supporter and has been linked a number of times in his career. Neil Lennon is well stocked in the midfield area and the report from 90min last week was well off the mark due to Celtic’s depth as well as the high wages that someone like McCarthy is likely to demand.

With Brown, McGregor, Ntcham, Christie, Rogic and Soro all vying for midfield positions, it is unlikely that the club would have made a move for McCarthy, who . Lennon will know that there are more pressing areas to strength if the club are to secure 10IAR than another central midfielder.

Fortunately, this news appears to put rest to the rumour that the midfielder could join Celtic this summer.