£15m

Celtic are poised to redouble their attempts to sign Craig Bellamy after it emerged that the potential profits of a predicted £15m share issue could give the Scottish champions the financial impetus required to land the troubled striker.

And, with sources in Glasgow insisting that Laurent Robert's name is also on the list of prospective signings Martin O'Neill has submitted to the Parkhead board, Freddie Shepherd will keep a close eye on developments as he tries to engineer the sale of Graeme Souness' two least-favourite players.

While confusion continued to reign regarding Aston Villa's disputed bid to acquire the services of Bellamy - Doug Ellis claimed a fee had been agreed, Shepherd insisted otherwise - Celtic have refused to panic and have maintained a dignified silence on the issue of a player they remain keen to sign on a permanent basis.

The SPL outfit have revealed that they will accede to Bellamy's request that talks be put on hold until their season has concluded with the Tennent's Scottish Cup final next weekend.

Celtic's hand has been strengthened by the forthcoming injection of cash. And, although only a fraction of the expected £15m will be made available to O'Neill, it could be decisive in ensuring the Bhoys are able to match the personal terms the likes of Villa and Blackburn are willing to offer the controversial 25-year-old. Although the share issue has not been officially confirmed, the matter is general knowledge in Glasgow and O'Neill last night said: "Any injection of money made towards strengthening the team would be very welcome indeed.

"It would be an enormous boost to us all and while I will only find out in due course if that is indeed the case, looking in from the outside the signs appear to auger well. It all sounds very encouraging at the moment but I suppose we will just have to wait and see."

While the prospect of a bidding war would be beneficial to Newcastle, Souness is anxious to see the matter resolved as quickly as possible in order to begin hissummer rebuilding programme in earnest. Celtic have been made aware of the urgency of the situation.

And, while the Scottish club have the first option on Bellamy having signed the player on loan in January, that clause is due to expire imminently and O'Neill's advantage could disappear with it.

"Craig has informed us that he does not want to discuss his future until the season has come to an end," confirmed a Celtic spokesman. In the short-term, Villa, who are locked in talks with United defender Aaron Hughes, will not be granted permission to negotiate with Bellamy. It will be up to Celtic to use that time to persuade the striker that committing his future to Glasgow would be the best option.

The prospect of Champions League football will aid their cause. That O'Neill's team could land the SPL title this weekend and the Scottish Cup the next has raised hopes that the potential feelgood factor will work in their favour.

While Bellamy is understood to be at the top of O'Neill's wanted list and Robert is believed to have figured in boardroom discussions, whether Celtic could finance moves for both players is uncertain.

The French international has got no future on Tyneside following a series of disagreements with Souness.

 

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