Celtic hero Peter Grant insists he is concerned about Brendan Rodgers' recent comments surrounding Rocco Vata.

The 18-year-old has been subject of much transfer speculation, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.

Vata scored his first goal for the Hoops in the recent 5-0 victory over Buckie Thistle but Grant feels the forward's future remains uncertain.

Speaking to Go Radio, he said: "I said at the start of the season that I saw him playing wide and I thought he did really, really well.

"But if you listen to Brendan’s interviews, then you are thinking ‘Uhmm, maybe there isn’t something right off the pitch’.

“We keep saying it. It’s easier to be critical of the manager when he isn’t playing certain players, but then there could be something in the background. There could be anything that we don’t know.

“It was an interesting interview after with Brendan talking about Rocco. He made the point clear.

"It’s not just down to ability, so maybe there is something that is making him have that wee boil on his back and not enjoying certain parts of his professionalism.”

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Meanwhile, Forest Green Rovers have reportedly attempted to hijack Ayr United's bid to make Scott Brown their next manager.

The Daily Record states the League Two club have made their move at the 11th hour to attract the Celtic legend just days after they sacked Troy Deeney.

It emerged on Monday afternoon that Ayr had launched their efforts in an ambitious move to lure Brown to Somerset Park.

This report claims the 38-year-old was in Ayrshire on Monday afternoon to hold talks with the Championship club's owner David Smith. He is looking to fill the role vacated by Lee Bullen who was dismissed last week.

However, Forest Green sparked a managerial tug-of-war when they approached Broony later in the day on Monday.

It's said that Brown could now be swayed down south in the next 24 hours for talks with the League Two strugglers.