Hartson to extend Celtic stay

Kilmarnock...2 Celtic...4: Celtic striker John Hartson has revealed he would like to stay at Parkhead for the rest of his playing career.

The Welsh international netted twice for the Glasgow side in their 4-2 win at Kilmarnock on Saturday, taking them to the top of the Premier League table.

The former Arsenal man is in the final year of his current deal but manager Martin O'Neill has indicated he will begin negotiations with Hartson, Bobo Balde and Neil Lennon when the transfer window closes.

Hartson said: "It is fantastic news. If that's the case let's sit down and come to an agreement because I am happy to sign.

"I always said I thought I'd return to the Premiership one day but I'm 29 now and if I was to sign a three- or four-year deal it would take me to 33.

"Realistically that would mean me spending my best years here and it's more than likely I'd end my playing days at Celtic.

"At 33 I couldn't imagine going anywhere else and doing as well as I have here."

Hartson has suffered from back injuries in the past two seasons but has now declared himself fully fit for the first time in 18 months.

Balde and Lennon are also in the final season of their current contracts. Balde is currently sidelined by a malaria-type illness.

Alan Thompson scored the other goals on Saturday as Celtic twice came from behind to win 4-2.

Gary McDonald opened the scoring for Killmarnock in the 14th minute, only for Hartson to level the game 60 seconds later.

Gary Wales restored the Ayrshire side's lead on the half-hour, but Thompson equalised another six minutes on.

Four minutes from the break Killmarnock were down to 10 men when David Lilley was sent off for a deliberate handball. From the resultant free-kick, Thompson put Celtic ahead.

Hartson completed the scoring in the 70th minute to leave the reigning champions as the only Premier League side to have a 100 per cent record.

Dado Prso's first competitive goal for his new club, two strikes by Stephen Hughes and one from Shota Arveladze earned Rangers a 4-0 win over Livingston.

Croat striker Prso struck early on before Hughes scored in each half. Georgian striker Arveladze completed the rout with three minutes remaining.

KILMARNOCK: Combe, Fowler, Lilley, Dindeleux, Hay (Dillon 60), McDonald, Locke, Dodds, Murray (Greer 45), Boyd, Wales (Naismith 75). Subs Not Used: Smith, Joly, Leven, Canning. Sent Off: Lilley (42). Booked: Greer.

CELTIC: Marshall, Agathe, Varga, Valgaeren, McNamara (Laursen 76), McGeady (Camara 70), Lennon, Petrov (Beattie 76), Thompson, Sutton, Hartson. Subs Not Used: Douglas, Sylla, Pearson, Wallace.

Referee: M McCurry.