Celtic open Giorgios Samaras, Joe Ledley contract talks

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has confirmed that the club has opened contract talks with Giorgios Samaras and Joe Ledley.

Both players are due to be free agents at the end of the season.

The Scottish champions are keen to commit the pair to new deals after recently seeing Anthony Stokes sign a three-year extension at Parkhead.

"We're talking to the representatives of both players. We'll be doing that over the next few weeks," Lawwell told Sky Sports News.

"It's the first meeting we'll have with Georgios' representatives. We've been talking regularly to Joe's and hopefully we'll get something tied up before the end of December."

Celtic continue the defence of their Scottish Premiership title on Saturday when they play host to Dundee United.