KENNY Miller is desperate to stay at Celtic and establish himself as the Parkhead club's first choice striker next season.

That was the message from the player's agent today amid mounting speculation Miller will leave the SPL champions this summer.

But David Baldwin, of London-based representatives Base Soccer, admitted the Scotland international's future lies in the hands of Gordon Strachan.

Rumours are rife the Bhoys will try to offload Miller, who joined them on a free transfer from Wolves last summer.

Despite impressing with his work-rate and total commitment to the club's cause, Miller only netted eight times in 44 first team games.

And, with Scott McDonald's arrival from Motherwell and Chris Killen, of Hibs, now on board, he is one of SEVEN front men at the Hoops.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has impressed since arriving from PSV Eindhoven for £3.5m midway through last season. But the futures of Craig Beattie, Miller, Derek Riordan and Maciej Zurawski are all in doubt.

The Hoops could make a considerable profit by offloading the 26-times capped 27-year-old to a Championship or English Premiership club.

Indeed, Miller has been linked with moves to Sunderland and Newcastle United.

But Baldwin stressed Miller, who netted vital Champions League goals against Copenhagen and Benfica, wants to remain at Parkhead.

He said: "I am up in Glasgow and will be speaking to Celtic about a variety of things.

"With regards to Kenny, he still has three years left on his contract and is happy at Celtic."

But Baldwin added: "The ball is not in our court. Kenny is under contract. The club have a value of him. If they turn around and say they are interested in him leaving, there isn't much we can do. But nobody has said that."

Meanwhile, Celtic's interest in Maceo Rigters could intensify after he helped Holland book a European Under-21 Championships Final spot.

The NAC Breda 23-year-old netted the equaliser in the 89th minute of the clash with England as Holland went on to win on penalties.

Rigters' agent, Frank Schouten, said: "Celtic are seriously interested and Newcastle are also looking at him. He is friends with Evander Sno, so Glasgow would interest him greatly."

Elsewhere, Celtic have yet to turn their interest in £3.3m-rated Gennaro Delvecchio, 29, into an offer, according to a Sampdoria official.

The midfielder is also attracting interest from rivals Palermo and Napoli, and a Sampdoria source said: "There has been no official contact from Celtic yet."

And talks are expected to take place with AC Milan winger Massimo Donati this week.