The race to become Scottish champions next year is already very much underway.

While Rangers have aspirations of kicking on next term and providing viable competition, the target at Parkhead is much more ambitious.

Coming away as Champions next term will mean that Celtic have made in 10 titles in a row - something that their rivals will certainly find difficult to stomach.

However if the Bhoys are to do that then they'll need to make sure that they make a success of the summer's transfer market.

The top priority has to be signing a goalkeeper and it seems that work has already started to address the issue.

Reports last week suggested that Celtic are closing in on a deal for Joe Hart.

The Burnley stopper, who is valued at £2.1million by Transfermarkt, is out of contract this summer and is therefore looking for a new club ahead of the new season.

It's claimed that while an agreement is yet to be reached, Neil Lennon had a number of positive conversations with the goalkeeper and his representatives.

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However a fresh update has suggested otherwise.

Reports from The Telegraph have suggested that the Bhoys are now scouring Europe for alternative options.

Talks with Hart and Fraser Forster have dragged on for longer than expected, and with the new season starting in just two weeks, it seems that efforts are being ramped up to sign a replacement.

That means looking at all options with a view to getting a swift deal done.

Hart is very much still in the running as an option, but it seems that the stopper will need to make a quick decision if this is a deal that will be done.

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GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...

The signing of Joe Hart would be a heck of deal.

Considering he's available on a free transfer, Celtic will be doing very well to sign the former England stopper on a free transfer.

While he's endured a frustrating time of late, the goalkeeper is undoubtedly a top goalkeeper who is perhaps lacking in confidence.

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You'd think that he still has a lot to offer at the highest level, and a more to Celtic could be the ideal move to get his career back on track.

I'd expect Hart to be a big success in Scotland, and if the Forster deal fell through, he could be a very shrewd addition.

However if these reports are to be believed, he would be best served making a swift decision as this sort of opportunity won't be available for much longer.