Notts County's hopes of keeping Callum McGregor have received some encouragement from Celtic boss Neil Lennon.

 

The Magpies retain a strong interest in the Hoops midfielder, whose loan deal expired last week.

McGregor was in the stands to watch the 2-1 home win against Sheffield United at the weekend and even trained with the rest of the squad ahead of that victory.

 

The 20-year-old's performances for Notts have attracted the interest of other clubs but Lennon appears open to the idea of an extended stay with Shaun Derry's side.

 

"We are quite happy with the situation there and the reports coming back are very positive" said Lennon.

The Magpies' League One rivals Wolves were on Monday linked with a £750,000 swoop for McGregor.

 

Wanderers' interest in the Scotland Under-21 international was later backed up by the player's representative Kenny Moyes, although Moyes went on to say that 'no firm offer' had been made.

 

However, Celtic are not looking to sell.

 

When asked about the possibility of a permanent deal, Lennon said: "Not at the minute.

 

"The reason we put him out on loan is to get him first-team experience. What he has done is set the bar for the rest of the young players who we want to maybe go out on loan.

 

"As I said, the reports coming back are very positive.

 

"He has been linked with Wolves - he has been linked with plenty of clubs. But he is our player and ideally we would like to bring him back in the summer and see how he has progressed."

 

McGregor is the Magpies' leading scorer this season, netting 12 goals in 27 appearances since joining the club in August.

 

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9119000/magpies-given-hope-on-mcgregor?

 

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Well, isn't that good news!?

 

Obviously it's still at the speculative stage, but surely with the blessing of the manager, there is nothing to stop McGregor coming back until the end of the season?
 

He needs to be careful what he says, I've listened to an interview with Neil Lennon were he said he was looking to sell.

It just seems odd.

That sounds really positive, I believe he is vital to our survival in this division. Please please let it happen.

i am not sure what to make this, its actually starting to do my head in. i want him back but not at the cost of a continuous merry go round.

We need Callum McGregor back at Notts County. Callum needs to be back at Notts County too. Else Fother's says he'll cry.

But joking apart, he'd be better off coming back to Notts County, and getting first team football. If say, he was sold off to a Championship club, he'd probably be on the bench a lot, and this wouldn't do his career any good. Hopefully this week, it will be sorted out and we'll see him back in the Black n White stripes. Fingers crossed.

It's not fair for all parties involved, even though i'm not really sure of the situation or Developments behind the scenes 

 

Callum Want's games, We want him to play games, What's the hold up here? 

 

We will sign him for our Playoff push  

According to Radio Nottingham Derry said last night that he is confident Callum will sign before the weekend. Sounds promising.

It would be nice, I won't hold any hopes on it and so if it happens I will be pleasantly surprised.

Really would be great to have McGregor back, he would give us a lot of options.

Just keep living in hope, is all we can do eh.

Obviously we want him back, but tbh I've been pleasantly surprised at how the team have gone on without him. Grealish missing as well might have been one step too far, but could we stay up without mac? Probably yes is my answer. Would we climb quicker with him? probably again!

We've got Callum McGregor back.. I personally thank Jack Grealish

What was that dodgy song?

Return of the Mac?

Get in!! Let's hope this drawn out process hasn't affected Callum in any way

Get in!! Let's hope this drawn out process hasn't affected Callum in any way

I hope it hasn't. You would hope with him still training with us, apart from being a little pissed off for the last few matches watching from the stands, he'd be rearing to go again by now!

Supposedly he returned to Scotland and had briefly trained with Celtic's first team, this is what I am hearing for one of their fan sites.

Their fans was hoping he would remain down here, quite a lot of them have been encouraged by his progress and unsure what would happen if he didn't resign a new contract. Seems they think they could lose a fee, which is being rumoured to answer why Neil Lennon was looking to sell (mentioned in an interview broadcasted by one of their stations) Sadly I cannot link it here because the stream link don't work.

A lad of his age with his obvious desire to play here should be able to walk straight back in like he's never been away!

Not very often you can say the desire to play here about a player nowadays can you?

Hopefully this is what SD is setting his stall by.

A lad of his age with his obvious desire to play here should be able to walk straight back in like he's never been away!

Not very often you can say the desire to play here about a player nowadays can you?

Hopefully this is what SD is setting his stall by.

i think its clear he enjoyed playing here and wanted to stay, i think hes the rare gem!

WE HAVE MCGREGOR BACK!!!!!

How is that for signings? Brilliant news and gives us much needed depth. I hope he is not the only signing but having jack and callum does mean a big boost.

Now that's been settled let's win.

I am really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really pleased about this news.

How do you feel now that Mcgregor is back,@tony hateley,not really bothered?

How do you feel now that Mcgregor is back,@tony hateley,not really bothered?

Nah, don't bother me one way or the other.

YP! Looking forward to the game now!

I just got in from work and logged in to see this. 

 

Merry F**king Friday or what ever you want to call it, 

 

"THE NOTTS ARE STAYIN UP, THE NOTTS ARE STAYIN UP, NOW YA GONNA BELIEVE US, NOW YA GONNA BELIEVE US, THE NOTTS ARE STAYIN UP