Reports down south claim Southampton are trying to jump to the top of the queue in the pursuit of Stuart Armstrong.

With the Celtic players due back tomorrow for preseason training, the Scottish midfielder has yet to settle his future and will have crunch talks with the manager and Peter Lawwell about the situation.

Armstrong is coming into the last year of his contact, having only signed a one-year contract extension last summer.

It’s widely accepted Celtic will look to cash in on the midfielder should he refuse a new deal.

There has been a lot of interest from down south for the player with Southampton very keen on bringing the forrmer Dundee Utd man to the Premier League.

West Brom, Fulham, Crystal Palce and a number of other clubs are hoping to sign the player for a cut price.