Sunderland have joined the race to sign former Celtic and Rangers youngster Liam Burt following his Parkhead exit.

Herald and Times Sport understands the midfielder has been invited to the Stadium of Light for a trial as the League One outfit take a closer look. Burt had been training with Barnsley in a bid to win a deal but has decided to take the Black Cats up on their offer as he weighs up his next move.

The 21-year-old was a standout in a handful of bounce games for The Tykes, scoring three goals in as many matches including one against Sheffield Wednesday. He also played a significant role against Derby County in a friendly.

Sunderland have admired Burt for some time and will be hoping he impresses. It is believed Barnsley remain keen on the player but, as yet, no decision has been made on his future.

We exclusively told how level-headed Burt always understood he was going to have a difficult time breaking into the first-team at Celtic, with top players Ryan Christie and Callum McGregor ahead of him in the pecking order. "It was always going to be a challenge to break in," he told Herald and Times Sport. "I knew that before I went back in. I had confidence in my ability that I showed the manager and he gave me some good praise when I was there. Especially after my year at Rangers being in and out with injury.

"I think the manager did like me and he praised me a few times. There was once in particular I played alongside Leigh Griffiths and scored a hat-trick. I'll never know what might have happened had the league continued, but the virus stopped that. I might have got a wee opportunity.

"I wasn't going to Celtic expecting to be first-team right away, I knuckled down but it was going to be hard and it proved that. It's completely understandable that I didn't play with 10 in a row and so much at stake."