Celtic 'to tie Conor Hazard down to new deal'

Celtic are reportedly close to agreeing a new contract for highly-rated goalkeeper Conor Hazard.

The 22-year-old has recently broken into the first team ahead of summer signing Vasilis Barkas and Scott Bain and was in goal for both the Europa League victory over Lille and Sunday's 2-0 Scottish Premiership win over Kilmarnock.

According to The Sun, talks have been ongoing with the Northern Ireland international since the summer and now after his breakthrough into Celtic's first team, manager Neil Lennon is keen to tie up Hazard's immediate future before his current deal expires next summer.

The 6ft 4in stopper joined the Hoops' youth academy from Cliftonville back in 2014 and was promoted to the first team squad in 2017 by then-Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.

Hazard had impressive loan spells at Falkirk, Partick Thistle and Dundee in the lower divisions and Championship outfit Dundee wanted to take him back to Dens Park on loan for this campaign but were knocked back by Celtic last summer.

The Downpatrick-born keeper, who is now a regular squad member for Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough, looks in pole position for an extended run in Lennon's side and could be in line to start in Sunday's Scottish Cup final against Hearts at Hampden.