Celtic boss Ronny Deila has revealed the ex-Scotland international Kris Commons has aspirations to follow the Norwegian gaffer into management after his playing days come to an end.

The forward's current contract is up at the end of the season with negotations in recent weeks failing to offer a resolution.

And Deila admits that while meetings with the player's representative have been encouraging, the offer of a coaching role at Parkhead could be used to sweeten the deal.

Discussions are understood to have started at the beginning of last month with the 31-year-old keen to land a contract that will suit him as he enters the latter stages of his career.

Deila said: "We have good dialogue now about this. That is going forward all the time.

"Kris wants to stay and we want to keep him and I think that is the most important thing, so things will be arranged. The vibes from him have been very positive. He loves the club and wants to stay.

"Him and Scott Brown want to have a future in football after they finish playing football as well - they want to try to be manager. It is hard - but they can try!

"We can help them into those areas as well, to think about what they want to do after their careers. It is good knowledge to have and experience to have working with youths.

"That is a positive thing. But it is positive even if you are playing as well. I have a good experience with players who have some coaching experience - they think about what I really mean and they learn how to express themselves to others, and that gives them a better understanding of the game. That's a new task for them. And you get leadership from that."

Commons had previously indicated to former Hoops manager Neil Lennon that he sees himself going into coaching after he retires from the game, with Deila now seemingly happy to faciitilate that wish if it keeps him in green and white for the forseeable future.

The former Derby County man, who was signed from the Rams in 2011 for £300,000, is understood to be settled in Glasgow but is weighing up his options carefully in what could be the last big contract of his career.

Speaking at the start of last month, Commons said: "My agent has been in this week, obviously just for brief discussions, not just about the length of the contract I'm going to sign but what's going to be happening in the future for Celtic and where the board sees us in two or three years.

"Because, when you have had such a successful time at Celtic, you want to keep doing that. You don't want to take backward steps. I'm 31 at the weekend so I want to be playing the best years of my career at the top level.

"I'm hoping with the new manager and new faces coming in that we can achieve the same things that we did in the first few years. There were things said in the meeting that were positive."