Leicester expect Elliott to stay

Leicester want Elliott to play out his career with them

Leicester manager Peter Taylor is confident that Matt Elliott will sign a new four-year contract, even though Celtic are chasing the defender.

The Foxes turned down a £3.5m Celtic bid for the Scotland international on Monday.

Now they are offering him a deal that will keep him at Filbert Street until the summer of 2005.

They have also guaranteed Elliott the club captaincy next season, despite the recent arrival of Dennis Wise from Chelsea.

Matt is very happy here and just wants things sorted out

Peter Taylor

Taylor will meet Elliott's advisor Jonathan Barnett next Monday to discuss the player's future.

Taylor said: "I can't stop someone coming in and making an inquiry about a good player and that's what happened.

"As far as I am concerned, it's cleared up now. We are not going to accept an offer and we are going to get on with things.

"I can understand it being unsettling for a player when every Sunday he picks up a paper saying he could be transferred here or there.

"But I am very confident that Matt will be signing a new contract. Matt is very happy here and just wants things sorted out.

"I've let him know how important he is to us and for me everything will be sorted out by next Monday."

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill worked with Elliott when he was in charge at Leicester and is eager to sign him before Thursday's Champions League transfer deadline.

The Scottish champions are also reported to be chasing Coventry striker John Hartson, who is rated at £7m by the Division One side.