He said: "Celtic wanted permission to speak to Steven so they should go and speak to him. They asked to speak to him but that was on Monday. What is a little bit concerning is that we haven't heard anything yet.

"I've kept him up to date with everything but this could make it seem as if we are not telling him everything. They might be busy or have other things on, but if they ask to speak to him then it's only courtesy to the player that they speak to him as quickly as they can.

"It has caused a lot of anxiety for him and it's not fair. Steven intimated that he would be willing to speak to Celtic because there is no point in wasting everybody's time. And after giving them permission we would like to find out what they are doing."

Jefferies is not resigning himself to the SPFA Young Player of the Year joining the Scottish champions if and when they do get round the table. He said: "His talks with Gordon Strachan will determine whether he goes there or not.

"They will only find out if they can convince him to go there or if they like what they see in Steven, if they speak to him.

"If he goes we wish him all the best; if he doesn't go then we will be delighted to keep him.

"People say you should set a deadline but the deadline is there - the end of August. So by then we will know what we are doing. We have never hidden that fact and the fee has never changed from day one.

"Some people can choose where they want to go when they are out of contract, but while they are in contract, the two clubs need to agree a fee.

"We have agreed the fee with Celtic which is why we gave them permission.

"One thing that it has never done is affect his training, that's why I have never had any problems playing him in the first team."