Celtic midfielder Daniel Kelly set for Millwall as Lions look to win race for talented teen

English Championship side Millwall are set to win the race to sign Celtic midfielder Daniel Kelly.

The 18-year-old, who hails from East Kilbride, has been frozen out of the Hoops' first team squad by Brendan Rodgers after turning down a new deal at Celtic Park earlier this summer, leaving Kelly to play in the Lowland League with the B team until his contract expires on December 31.

But Lanarkshire Live Sport understands Kelly is set to make a decision on his future. Talks have been held with the Lions about a move down south in January to play first-team football and, despite interest from a number of clubs across Europe including Bayer Leverkusen, London is now expected to be his next destination.

Kelly enjoyed a fantastic breakthrough season with the Celtic first team last term, netting his first senior goal on his debut in a 7-1 win over Dundee at Celtic Park in February, and making five appearances as the Hoops won a league and cup double.

The former St Leonards Primary School pupil first caught the eye of Celtic playing above his age group for East Kilbride Caledonian Thistle's 2004 team and has been with the Hoops ever since.

But now his spell with his boyhood heroes is set to come to an end.

Speaking about Kelly's situation last month, Rodgers said: "Daniel has been offered a really, really good contract. A contract that would see him come into the first-team squad and play and perform and develop.

"I spoke with the agents and player some months back to say if we can’t tidy this up by summer, then it’s very hard to be with the team in pre-season.”

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