O'Neill sets sights on signings

Scottish League Old Firm clash: Celtic manager Martin O'Neill yesterday insisted he wanted to be "close" to Rangers when the January transfer window opens.

The Scottish Premier League champions go into the Old Firm showdown at Ibrox today (12.30) four points clear. But Rangers have the incentive of being able to reduce the gap at the top to a single point and are on a high after knocking their arch rivals out of the League Cup last week.

O'Neill is more concerned about being within striking distance of Alex McLeish going into the new year when he will be able to bring in some winter signings. He explained: "This is a big game but it is a comforting thought that even if everything went wrong we will still be in front (in the league) on Saturday evening.

"My consideration is when the January window opens. If we have an opportunity to do anything we want to be pretty close to Rangers at that stage and ready for the final drive on."

O'Neill will upset one of his goalkeepers when he names his starting line-up. Magnus Hedman came in from the cold after 10 months out to keep a clean sheet in the 3-0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle last week when David Marshall was rested. The Swede also had a happier midweek with the teenager on the receiving end of a 4-1 defeat as Sweden beat Scotland.

The Northern Irishman has to decide whether to recall Marshall but he claims he is not too concerned about hurting anybody's feelings. O'Neill said: "The more players we have available for selection the better for me. The older I get the idea of making changes in the side bothers me less and less.

Meanwhile, McLeish hailed yesterday's overturning of Nacho Novo's ban as a "victory for common sense". The striker had been set to miss the visit of Celtic through suspension. But the straight red card he picked up at Hibernian last week was reduced to a yellow by a Scottish FA review panel.

That decision was reached by studying TV footage of the moment when Novo kicked out at Craig Rocastle. Referee Willie Young, who did not see the incident, and linesman Steven Craven watched reuns - and advised the panel a red card was too severe a punishment.