David James quizzes Richard Hughes after opening talks with Celtic

DAVID James has held talks with Celtic and discussed a move to Parkhead with his Scottish team-mate Richard Hughes.

The Portsmouth and England World Cup goalkeeper is a free agent and Celtic are considering the 39-year-old as a replacement for Artur Boruc, who joined Fiorentina last week.

Celtic will battle it out with Pompey - who have offered James a player-coach role - Newcastle United and Spurs.

Midfielder Hughes, who is on tour in the USA with the Fratton Park club, said: "David has been speaking to Celtic and phoned me up to ask for my advice.

"I told him it would be a superb move for him and he'd be mad not to sign for Celtic.

"Celtic would give him the opportunity to play Champions League or Europa League football too."

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace manager George Burley insists he knows nothing of a reported approach from Celtic for goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

"Unfortunately in football you get speculation, especially if you've got good players and Julian is a top-class keeper," said the former Scotland manager. "But I don't know anything about Celtic."