By Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland




Dundee United have reached an agreement with Celtic with a view to bringing

Anthony Stokes

to the club on loan.

United manager Mixu Paatelainen has told BBC Scotland he has held talks with the 27-year-old striker.

But he does not believe the Tannadice club are the favourites to sign him during the January transfer window.

Premiership rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Championship promotion hopefuls Hibernian have both also expressed an interest in the Irishman.

Stokes has previously played under

Caley Thistle’s John Hughes

at Falkirk and Hibs and the manager has argued that Inverness would be the best place for the striker to revive his career.

The Republic of Ireland international has fallen out of favour at Celtic under Ronny Deila and made his last appearance this season in August.

Stokes’ contract expires at the end of the season and Deila is happy for him to leave in order to find first-team football elsewhere.

The player was

suspended by Celtic

in December after he complained on Twitter about his lack of playing time.

More to follow.