Busy day at Parkhead

Paul Lambert is expected to join Celtic from Borussia Dortmund tomorrow for a fee of around $2 million. Protracted negotiations between the clubs have been concluded and the player is understood to be keen to return to Scotland. The international midfielder, who won a European Cup medal in his first season with the German champions after leaving Motherwell under the Bosman ruling, could make his debut in Saturday's first Old Firm match of the season at Ibrox. Lambert has not been a first-team regular at Dortmund this season, following coach Ottmar Hitzfeld's elevation to an executive role and the arrival of his replacement, Nevio Scala.

In addition, Lambert's wife has been unsettled in Germany and it has been widely known that the player would like to return. Borussia's general manager, Michael Meier, confirmed that the clubs have agreed terms and Lambert is expected in Glasgow tomorrow for the official announcement.

Celtic striker Darren Jackson was back on the scoresheet yesterday, two months after brain surgery. Jackson, making his first appearance at Parkhead since his operation, equalised for the reserves in their 2-2 draw against Dunfermline.

Meanwhile, Celtic's backroom upheaval claimed another casualty with the departure of assistant general manager Davie Hay. The move comes just a week after youth coach Danny Crainie was also deemed surplus to requirements. Hay's departure is the second time he has parted company with the club after being sacked as manager back in 1987. He was brought back to the club as chief scout under former manager Tommy Burns three years ago and took over as caretaker manager before the arrival of new coach Wim Jansen in the summer.

The 1998 World Cup final will kick-off at 9pm local time on July 12th (8pm Irish time), the French Organising Committee announced yesterday. The opening game on June 10th will kick-off at 5.30pm (4.30pm), while all 10 World Cup stadia apart from Bordeaux will have at least one evening match because of TV camera angles in the setting sun.

First-round matches will kickoff at 2.30pm (1.30pm), 4pm (3pm), 5.30pm (4.30pm) and 9pm. Second-round and quarterfinal matches will kick-off at either 4.30pm (3.30pm) or 9pm, while the semi-finals will start at 9pm.