Exclusive: Celtic goalkeeper rejects long-term deal in significant blow
Celtic rising star Ryan Mullen has rejected the offer of a new deal at the club, Football Insider can reveal.
The goalkeeper, 18, is regarded as one of the brightest young prospects to emerge from Parkhead in recent years after impressing for club and country at age-group level.
A Celtic source has told Football Insider that Mullen has knocked back the club’s attempts to extend his agreement.
Mullen is entering the final six months of his contract at the Scottish champions, who are keen to tie him down to a new deal.
However, the Scotland Under-19 international has so far rejected Celtic’s long-tem offer to extend his contract.
He could now leave for free next summer, or move on in a cut-price January deal.
News of his contract situation has alerted a number of clubs in England to his possible availability for a bargain fee in January or on a free transfer next summer.
Mullen has yet to make his first-team debut for Celtic, but he has been a regular for the club’s reserves and has featured in the UEFA Youth League games in the last couple of seasons.
It comes at a time when there is also uncertainty over the senior goalkeeping positions at Celtic.
New number one Fraser Forster is on a season-long loan and is due to head back to parent club Southampton next summer despite his outstanding form this season.
Craig Gordon is out of contract at the end of this campaign and is weighing up his future as he prepares to be third in the pecking order when Scott Bain is full fit again.
In other Celtic news, it can be REVEALED that Nicky Hammond has laid down law to £10m+ valued Hoops star in transfer showdown.