Hartson may not be leaving after all

Scottish Premier League/News:Scottish Premier League News: John Hartson's agent Jonathan Barnett has denied he held talks with Hertha Berlin over the possibility of signing the Celtic striker in the January transfer window. The Bundesliga club's general director Dieter Hoeness has claimed he has already held discussions which prompted accusations from Celtic first-team coach Steve Walford that the Welshman has been "tapped-up".

"Contrary to various stories that have appeared in the media this week, I can confirm that I have not held discussions with any clubs in Germany, nor elsewhere, regarding the future of John Hartson, other than with his current employers Celtic FC," Barnett said yesterday.

And he also signalled Hartson would sign a new contract with Celtic before the New Year if the deal was right. The 29-year-old, who has scored 17 times this season, has yet to be offered a new deal at Parkhead, despite having only six months left to run on his current agreement.

"I will be meeting again with Celtic officials in the near future with a view to continuing negotiations over renewing John's contract. This will be the most important contract of John's career and every detail has to be right for him. However, as John has always stated, he loves Celtic Football Club, he loves playing for them, he loves the fans, and he loves his life in Scotland.

"If we can agree on a deal that John is happy with, he will sign it immediately. Obviously, should this situation not be resolved by January 1st, John will be free to listen to offers from other clubs."

Aiden McGeady has expressed his fears over the future of manager Martin O'Neill at the club. Many supporters fear that if the board do not give O'Neill more money to spend in the January transfer window, then their successful manager could be tempted to move elsewhere. But the 18-year-old Ireland international has a lot to be grateful to O'Neill for and he is desperate for him to stay on.

"There is obvious concern because he has brought the club success since he has come here for over four years. I am a Celtic fan myself and I obviously want him to stay. He's the one who has given me the chance and I am really grateful for that. He has shown a lot of faith in me to put me in the Champions League and I have been delighted with the experience."

If O'Neill stays at Celtic, McGeady has promised not to go the same way as Liam Miller - now at Manchester United - and leave Parkhead in search of new challenges. "I'll definitely not do the same. I have still got another four years left here and I am not interested in leaving. I obviously want to see Celtic get more success and I desperately to help bring more success to the team."

O'Neill has no fresh injury worries for tomorrow's game at Dunfermline, but he is without Didier Agathe for four to six weeks while Stephen Pearson will be out for longer as they explore the possibility he could require a hernia operation.

Yesterday Celtic announced the appointment of a new non-executive director of the plc. Brian McBride, managing director of T-Mobile UK Limited, will take up the role around January 5th.

Meanwhile, Rangers manager Alex McLeish has declared he intends to remain at the Ibrox helm for at least another three years. And - as he prepared for today's visit of Dundee in the Premier League, a fixture that marks his third anniversary at the Ibrox helm - he insisted he remained as enthusiastic as the day he was appointed Dick Advocaat's successor.

"It is a magnificent job at a magnificent club and I hope I'm here for another three years," McLeish said yesterday. "Sometimes it is a real roller-coaster, a job like this and there is a lot of pressure but nevertheless it is some thing I relish every day."

This season the Old Firm rivals are locked in an intriguing battle for top spot and Rangers know they can reclaim it with just a point today. But even if they do, Celtic will have the opportunity to clamber back above them tomorrow through a favourable result at Dunfermline.

Left back Gregory Vignal and striker Shota Arveladze are back in the Rangers squad following injury and former skipper Craig Moore has also resumed training following a hernia operation.

But centre back Jean-Alain Boumsong remains a doubt after being forced off early at Inverness last week with a dead leg.

And with the UEFA Cup clincher with Auxerre - the Frenchman's former club - fast approaching, it would be no surprise if he were to be saved for that.