BBC commentator Jock Brown seems certain to become the new general manager of Celtic. Brown, a Cambridge graduate, is a lawyer in addition to his role at the BBC in Scotland and has been representing many of the top football managers in their contract negotiations.

And with that background the 51-year-old Brown, whose brother is the Scottish international manager Craig Brown, has been seen as the ideal man for the job.

Celtic supremo Fergus McCann would only confirm yesterday: "An announcement will be made at a news conference on Monday."

It appointed, Brown will be immediately thrown into contract negotiations with Celtic's top players. Both Jorge Cadete and Paolo di Canio are in dispute with McCann and suggesting they do not want to return.

Former Everton centre-forward Andy Gray is set to be named as the club's new manager today. The Goodison Park club are expected to announce that Gray will replace Joe Royle who left the club in March.

Newcastle's Faustino Asprilla is poised to leave Tyneside and return to his old club Parma in Italy. The player wants guaranteed first-team football.