Forrest contract snub "not a big deal"

Celtic manager Ronny Deila claims James Forrest's contract snub is no big deal.

Deila has not given up all hope of Forrest extending his stay but he admits he looks likely to leave after rejecting a new four-year contract.

The Norwegian has worked hard with his medical and sports science staff to get Forrest consistently fit and the 24-year-old has broken the 30-game mark for the first time in four seasons.

But he will not take the winger's snub to heart.

"You can make a big deal out of this,'' he said.

"For me, it's not a big, big deal.

"Of course we want to keep Jamesy but this happens all the time in different situations, for different players. We have a lot of players here. We'll see what happens during the season.

"It's not like that there is nothing going to happen. You never know in football, but he has rejected it and we have to take that forward.

"I haven't talked to Jamesy straight about these things. Jamesy is part of this squad, has been here for many, many years. We wanted to keep him here but it's an issue between the club and the player.

"There are always negotiations but we felt the offer was really good. We have stretched so long, but you never know in football.''

Deila has no problem continuing to play Forrest, whose contract expires at the end of December.

"We have other players as well who are not on long contracts,'' he said.

"They are here to do a job for Celtic, and we keep on going.

"It's no problem. But there are a lot of options. Jamesy needs to show his best side for his future and we need the best out of everybody to get our goals as well.''

Another player rumoured to be heading out of Celtic is Emilio Izaguirre, who has shared left-back duties with teenager Kieran Tierney this season - both of them have made 20 starts.

The Honduras manager is reported to have told the full-back he needs to play more often but Deila is adamant the 29-year-old still has a Parkhead future.

"Of course he has, we can't have one full-back,'' the Celtic boss said.

"Yes, he has a future and he's a great player.

"It's tough competition on that side. Everyone can see what KT has done but everyone also respects what Emilio has done for this club. We know we have two very good full-backs. He's a player we want to keep.

"I talk with Emilio lots of times. He comes into my office and we talk. Of course he wants to play more, that's for sure. Everybody in that squad wants to play.

"But it's a competition and you never know in football. Something could happen with KT and also he can show in training that he is better. I can't make my decision on what a national team coach is having an opinion on.''

Celtic can go nine points clear in the Premiership on Friday night by beating Hamilton at New Douglas Park but Deila knows his side face an improved opponent after Accies tightened up following their 8-1 thrashing at Parkhead last month.

And Deila is wary of the artificial surface at New Douglas Park.

"It was slippy there,'' he said.

"I have nothing against artificial pitches but it has to be good quality. I've seen different games there and there have been people slipping, and that's not positive for the football.''