Celtic's plans to build an £18m hotel and museum complex have been given the green light.

The club's proposals for the major development around Celtic Park have been approved by officials at Glasgow City Council.

The plans include a five-storey hotel, which would be based on London Road outside the main stand of Celtic Park and close to the Emirates Arena.

A restaurant and bar would be on the ground floor of the building.

A new shop, ticket centre and museum entrance would be at first floor level with the main portion of the museum below this.

On Wednesday, officials wrote to the Parkhead club saying the development had been approved without the need to go to councillors.

A spokesman for the club said: "We are very pleased that initial planning permission has been granted.

"Clearly, there is still considerable work to be done in bringing such an ambitious project to fruition.

"However, we will now engage with other relevant parties to assess this potential development."

Planners Muir Smith Evans, on behalf of Celtic, have said more than 100 jobs could be created if the development is approved.

A statement submitted as part of the planning application said: "The proposed development will result in the creation of some 100 to 120 permanent full and part-time jobs and will contribute positively to the regeneration of the Clyde Gateway area."

It continued: "The direct creation of over 100 new employment opportunities will be a major boost to the area and will clearly contribute towards the key planning aim of achieving sustainable economic growth.

"There is currently no quality hotel accommodation within the area between the city centre and Tollcross despite the key attractions of Celtic Park and the Emirates Arena.

"The current lack of hotel accommodation in the vicinity means that everyone attending events at the football stadium or the arena requires to travel on the day of the event, adding to traffic volumes in the surrounding area."