Aston Villa, Celtic and Ibrox side Glasgow Rangers are all credited with an interested in Barnsley’s Conor Hourihane.
Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom has told the Sheffield Star that Barnsley are confident of hanging on to Conor Hourihane, despite interest from Glasgow Rangers, Celtic and Aston Villa in the midfielder.
Hourihane’s current deal at Oakwell is due to expire at the end of the season, meaning interest in the central midfielder is high.
However, Heckingbottom has confirmed that Barnsley are planning on offering Hourihane a new deal – and they hope he will turn down the advances of the likes of Rangers, Celtic and Villa.
“We’ve spoken to him about a new contract and it’s a case of the sooner the better for me,” Heckingbottom said. “Conor’s been great for us and we can’t force a decision from him. “He still has a duty to the team to perform, but we are confident [on him staying].”
Hourihane has already suggested that he was flattered by interest from the Old-Firm pair.
Rangers and Celtic are believed to be ready to make an offer for the Irish midfielder in January, as Mark Warburton and Brendan Rodgers both feel he would enhance the quality of their squads.
Villa, too, also believe that the addition of the four-goal midfielder could strengthen their push for the play offs this season.
Villa are currently in 13th place in the Championship table, but have their eyes on breaking into the top six.
Hourihane has been a key part of Barnsley’s side so far this season, making 15 appearances in the league.
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