Celtic close the Dalglish saga

Former Celtic director of football Kenny Dalglish has been awarded more than £600,000 after being sacked by the club last summer.

At the five-minute hearing in the Court of Session in Edinburgh yesterday Dalglish's lawyers accepted the payout and in turn the club agreed to drop a counter claim against him.

Celtic last night completed the signing of Tottenham defender Ramon Vega on a deal until the end of the season.

The 29-year-old Swiss international flew into Glasgow yesterday for discussions and passed his medical with no problems.

The paperwork was also completed in time for him to make his Celtic debut against Aberdeen at Parkhead today.

Blackburn Rovers yesterday sealed a £1.75 million deal for the permanent services of Henning Berg.

The Norwegian defender completed an initial three-month spell with Rovers on loan from Manchester United last week.

But the two clubs have now agreed a permanent return to Ewood Park for Berg. Berg's new contract will last until summer 2001 with a further one-year option.

Blackburn chief executive John Williams said: "We are delighted to have agreed a deal.

"We contacted Manchester United and were able to renegotiate the payment terms, while Henning played his part in proceedings by shortening his contract length.

Aston Villa fans are backing goalkeeper David James over his decision to slap in a transfer request because the club lack ambition.

James, who has been linked in reports with Arsenal, dropped his bombshell after rejecting Villa's offer of a new three-and-a-half-year contract.

He has followed fellow England player and club skipper Gareth Southgate in asking for a move because he feels Villa's aspirations do not match his own.

"For me money is not the main concern, it's all about the direction Villa are heading in. I need to be satisfied that the club harbour the same ambitions as myself," said James.