Towell may return to Hibs next season

On-loan Celtic star Richie Towell has revealed he isn't ruling out a return to Easter Road next season after establishing himself as a regular in the first team with Hibs.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 star's stay in Edinburgh expires at the end of the season but Hibs boss Colin Calderwood has already disclosed he'd be discussing the 19-year-old's future with Hoops manager Neil Lennon over the summer.

And Towell, who knows full well he faces a tough task to make the breakthrough at Celtic Park, admitted he'd be interested in signing on again for Hibs either on a loan deal or on a permanent basis.

Revealing he'd "jumped at the chance" to spend the second half of the season in the green and white of Hibs rather than that of his parent club, Dublin-born Towell said: "I've loved it, it has been unbelievable.

"I don't think I could have dreamed of a better club to come to. It has been really good for me. To play almost every game is not something that I would have expected to happen in January but it has been a great experience.

"I just have to wait and see what happens. I will go back to Celtic in the summer because I am still contracted to them, but then I will have a chat with Neil Lennon and the rest of the staff and see what they feel is best for me.

"It would be good if I could come back here - if it is on loan or permanently - but I just want to play football."