Lennon hopes McCourt stays Bloomfield Road, Blackpool Lancashire England

Lennon hopes McCourt stays

Midfielder offered new deal, Liga side bid for striker

Celtic manager Neil Lennon hopes Paddy McCourt stays while he also believes Hercules have bid for Georgios Samaras.

The three-year contract signed by McCourt in 2008 concludes next summer, meaning he would then become a free agent.

Lennon is a firm admirer of the 26-year-old playmaker and hopes he signs the club's two-year extension offer.

Premier League new-boys Blackpool have been linked with a move and Lennon is aware of interest in his midfielder.

"We have offered Paddy a two-year extension and the ball is in his court," explained Lennon.

"I am aware of interest from elsewhere but we would like to keep him."

Samaras bid

Meanwhile, following Hercules boss Esteban Vigo's comments that the newly-promoted Spanish side were interested in Samaras, Lennon believes a bid has been made.

The ex-Northern Ireland international is keen to speak with chief executive Peter Lawwell about Samaras' future, especially as the Greece international has impressed in pre-season.

The 25-year-old has scored goals against Manchester United and Seattle Sounders, but Lennon accepts the club's financial situation may come first as Samaras has just one year left on his Bhoys deal.

"I think they have put a bid in, but I don't know how much for," Lennon continued on Hercules' interest in Samaras.

"I don't know how concrete it is, I've not spoken to Peter Lawwell.

"Sami is a bit of an enigma, really. But he certainly gave us food for thought after Toronto.

"We will contemplate what we are going to do but he is in that boat where he has a year left on his contract."

Source: www.skysports.com