Di Canio `willing' to stay

CELTIC and Paolo Di Canio appear ready to patch up their rift. The Italian striker had threatened he would not be around next season unless "a little problem" with his contract was resolved.

Di Canio returns to Glasgow later this week after a short break in Italy to play in Celtic's testimonial match at Lansdowne Road for goalkeeper Packie Bonner against the Republic of Ireland.

He dropped strong hints that his performance against Hibernian last week could have been the last for Celtic and he even criticised chief executive Fergus McCann over the sacking of manager Tommy Burns.

The player's agent, Moreno Roggi, insists that Di Canio wants to remain in Glasgow though he said the three-year-contract which guarantees Di Canio £12,000 a week was "not particularly rewarding."

But in a statement last night, McCann said: "There is willingness from Celtic to help Paolo solve any problems he may have. I am pleased to hear Paolo wants to stay with Celtic.

"He is an important player, which is why he is paid handsomely. His contract, which represents all commitments made to him, continues to be honoured in full, and is far superior to anything he was paid in Italy."

Earlier 28-year-old Di Canio, Scotland's footballer of the year, said: "I want to be at Celtic for the rest of my career. I love the club and I love the fans too. They've been incredible to me.

The former AC Milan striker, speaking in Terni, 65 miles from Rome, added: "I love Glasgow as well.

"I've signed a contract that expires in June 2000 but I'm willing to complete my career at Celtic. "What I want to do is retire at the top, and I will be 33 in 2001. It would be a dream for me to finish my playing days at Celtic. Now I only hope that the club feels the same way about me."

Di Canio's comments will bring some cheer to the Celtic fans still shaking their heads in frustrated disbelief at Rangers' equalling of Jock Stein's famous nine-in-a-row.

And the Italian agreed that his personal milestones had helped him cope with the Ibrox victory parades.

"It's been a great season for me personally," he said. "My proudest moment was to be named player of the year, although of course it didn't make up for the disappointment of missing the Cup final and the title.

"But I'm already looking forward to the challenges of 1997-98 in the Premier League and in Europe."