Bertrand open to permanent Southampton move

England international left-back Ryan Bertrand has confirmed he would like to join Southampton on a permanent deal.

Bertrand, 25, joined Southampton on loan from Chelsea in the summer, and has proven to be a magnificent signing for new manager Ronald Koeman.

Last week, Koeman revealed he would like to sign Bertrand on a permanent basis. It did not take long for Bertrand to respond.

“It is one of them things where I’ve got to wait and see, but, for me, there’s no reason why not, to be honest,” said the 25-year-old defender.

“There is a good base to the club, we’re pulling in the right direction. We have fantastic fans, fantastic players, a fantastic manager and the coaching staff.

“It has been a good experience for me so far so I don’t see why not. For me, it is a first in many aspects, especially with the consistency of football I’m getting.

“I am pleased with the way it has started but you know there is a lot more work to be done. As a team we’re only going to get better, individually I am only going to improve.”

Bertrand has tallied one goal and one assist in nine English Premier League starts for the Saints, who are currently in second-place in the league table, this season.

Deila wants permanent deal for Guidetti

Celtic F.C. boss Ronny Deila is hoping to sign on-loan Manchester City forward John Guidetti on a permanent deal.

The once-capped Sweden international, 22, has bagged five goals in seven appearances since arriving at Celtic Park in the summer.

Deila is absolutely thrilled to have been given the opportunity to work with Guidetti this season, and rightly so.

The 22-year-old’s talent has never been doubted, but injury problems called a two-year “timeout” on his footballing career after a tremendous 2011/12 campaign while on loan at Dutch Eredivisie side Feyenoord.

But Guidetti is now fully-fit and firing in the goals for the Scottish Premier League champions, much to the delight of manager Ronny Deila.

“I saw him play many times for Manchester City Under-20s and you could see the character he had,” Deila said. “I wanted to bring him to Stromsgodset when he was 18 or 19 but I am happy to work with him now.

“He has been very good from day one. His confidence is fantastic and he has the values we are looking for at the club.

“This looks like his home. Celtic and John are suited together and we want to continue with that. I hope he stays here and we will do everything we can to make him become a Celtic player permanently.

“We are talking to everybody around him and to him also, and he is positive. His contract with City is only to the end of the season so we hope to do that as quickly as possible.

“Goal scorers are very hard to find and he is a goal scorer. Also his attitude is everything I like in a person. He lifts the whole group and he produces. I get energy from being with him – he is a good singer also.”