Celtic stand firm on O'Neill

SOCCER: Celtic yesterday insisted that Martin O'Neill is "fully committed" to the club and claim they have not received an approach from Leeds United, who want the Irishman to replace the sacked David O'Leary, writes Dominic Fifield

O'Neill flew back from Japan last night, where he had been working for the BBC during the World Cup, with speculation building that he will be the new number one at Elland Road.

But Ian McLeod, the Celtic chief executive, said: "He has a year to run on his contract and, in the past, he has always shown a willingness to honour that. We have had absolutely no contact from Leeds.

"We had a few discussions before he left for Tokyo about one or two players that we are interested in for next season. That doesn't seem to me like someone who is preparing to leave."

Guus Hiddink is to return to PSV, the club he steered to European Cup success 14 years ago. "There will be some parties and ceremonies to attend before I return on Friday and get things sorted with PSV," the Dutchman said.

The former Japan coach Philippe Troussier and the former midfielder Alain Giresse have expressed interest in becoming coach of France if Roger Lemerre loses the job on Friday.

"I don't feel like going to a club," said Troussier. "I'm more of a stimulator, a man of missions. I don't wish to go back to work every day Monday morning."

Birmingham City have agreed terms with the Senegal captain Aliou Cisse and hope to complete a £4.5million deal with Paris St-Germain this week.

Bolton have signed the 23-year-old Turkish midfielder Akin Bulent from Galatasaray on a free transfer, but he is unlikely to be fit for the start of the season having had knee surgery in February.

The former West Brom defender Brendon Batson has rejoined them as managing director. West Brom, meanwhile, completed the signing of Ronnie Wallwork on a Bosman free transfer from Manchester United. The 24-year-old is the club's first signing since they won promotion to the Premiership in May, and joins the West Midlands club on a three-year contract.

Blackburn Rovers' 32-year-old defender Henning Berg has agreed a one-year extension to his contract.

Mick Wadsworth, the former Newcastle head coach, is the new Huddersfield manager; his Wolves counterpart Dave Jones is suffering from pneumonia and has been hospitalised.

The Scottish Football League have given their backing for Jim Ballantyne to buy out the name of Clydebank Football Club - meaning the end for the Second Division side. Ballantyne was the man behind the newly-formed Airdrie United who recently lost out on their bid to join the SFL Third Division to former Unibond League side Gretna. The unanimous decision by the six-man committee now means Airdrie United are set to win their place in Scottish football after all.

SFL secretary Peter Donald said: "We have discussed the matter fully and decided in principle that we have no objection to the offer moving onto the next stage. The name Clydebank will not continue in Scottish football and that is a matter of great regret as Clydebank had a great role to play for many years."