“I’ve heard it’s in the contract” – John Hartson drops long term transfer hint

Transfer talk is always a contentious issue. Especially at this time of year.

When Celtic are playing well and scoring goals and winning trophies, their players are always going to be linked with other clubs. It’s the natural way of things.

Especially when you look at our track record of buying, improving and selling.

But this is not about us selling a player. This is about us buying one.

Jota.

For months now, the Celtic fans have been desperate for the club to make the loan move for Jota permanent and it seems that as it stands, it is left hanging in the balance.

Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show, John Hartson dropped a wee hint and seemed to make a live radio plea for the Portuguese winger to make his stay in Glasgow permanent, “It’d be interesting to see what comes of Benfica and Celtic and whether or not Celtic are going to bid for him. I’ve heard it’s in the contract that Celtic have first refusal of him.

“Now I don’t know what exactly that means. If Benfica want him back can they take him back?”

“If you go from a situation where you’re not a regular whether you’re a young player, and then you come to a club like Celtic and you’re revered like he has been, and he’s got the crowd in the palm of his hand.

“He’s got a manager that absolutely loves him, and and has made him better as a player.

“Then you would think that his choice would would be Celtic.

“But the lad still might have family in Portugal.

“I don’t know what the situation is, but it would certainly be a blow to lose him because he has made such a huge impact. What a player he has been.”