Scott McDonald's future at Celtic remains in doubt as Tony Mowbray is unwilling to meet his demands.
Celtic boss speaks with striker after West Ham and Boro links
Scott McDonald's future at Celtic remains in doubt as Tony Mowbray is unwilling to meet his demands.
The Australia international has been linked with Middlesbrough, who are thought to have had a £3.5million bid rejected, while West Ham are also said to be interested in the 26-year-old.
Mowbray revealed he has had talks with his 14-goal top scorer although he was tight-lipped on whether that would mean McDonald leaving Parkhead in the near future.
"I won't sit here and deny there have been conversations with Scott and they have been interesting chats," he said.
"But at the moment there is nothing to say either way."
McDonald is back in training at Lennoxtown after a hernia operation and has sought assurances as to his role for the rest of the season.
And although Mowbray believes both parties would like the former Motherwell striker to remain at Parkhead, he feels McDonald is weighing up other factors before deciding whether to leave.
"Scott is at Lennoxtown working very hard to get fit for Tuesday but we will wait and see," added the Bhoys boss.
Assurances
"Scott is looking for assurances, he wants to play and be on that field every minute of every game scoring goals.
"He does understand that I have a squad of players but he wants to play.
"I can't assure him he will be on the field for 90 minutes of every game, because I've got respect for the other players and that's why you have a squad.
"He is obviously a talented boy who has scored goals for the club over the piece but no player gets guarantees that he will play 90 minutes of every game.
"Would I like to keep Scott McDonald? Yes. I want as many good players as possible for me.
"Would he like to stay? Yes, I think he would because it's a great club with great supporters, a great history and he has scored goals.
"But there are three, four, five little pieces that make up the whole pie and some of them are pretty big in Scott's mind and important in what might happen."
