Celtic Want Bellars on Season Loan

Peter Lawwell, Celtic's Chief Exec is hopeful that he can bring Craig Bellamy back to the Parkhead on a year-long loan from Newcastle United.

Lawwell said: "Talks are ongoing with Newcastle and the player's representatives and I'm hopeful that a deal can be done."

Bellamy was a big hit with Celtic fans as he illuminated the SPL after joining Celtic at the beginning of the year.

However that deal ended and Bellamy will return to Newcastle on July 4 if he is not sold or offloaded on loan.

The Wales international was involved in a much public row with Newcastle's Scottish manager, Graeme Souness, and that rift has yet to be resolved, with Bellamy unlikely to play for the club again under Souness, despite United fans voting Bellamy their player of the year.

Celtic are rumoured not to be able to afford the transfer fee for Bellamy, hence the loan deal, however, with United keen on a permanent deal for Bellamy, Aston Villa and Everton are still believed to be after the former Coventry City striker.

Such are tabloid rumours, Bellamy is apparantly only interested in a 'big club' move - which would be Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal or Liverpool, effectively ruling out Everton and Villa then.