Hartson to stay a Celt

John Hartson wants to sign a new contract with Celtic, according to his agent.

The former Arsenal and West Ham striker has been linked with a £4million move to Fulham and has only 18 months left on his contract with the Scottish Premier League leaders.

Chris Coleman is reportedly lining up Hartson as a replacement for Manchester United target Louis Saha and the Welsh goalscorer would fit into the system Fulham play.

But Hartson's agent, Jonathan Barnett, dismissed the claims and said the 28-year-old is settled in Scotland. Barnett said: "There have been no discussions about John moving to Fulham. Coleman knows him from his time with Wales but that was probably the last time he spoke to him.

"Celtic have not offered John a new contract yet but he is fine about it. Eventually, he is hoping they give him a new deal and it will not be too long before they do."

Meanwhile, Lee Clark said today that Louis Saha's Fulham teammates have no doubts about his commitment and admitted that they have been taking the mickey out of the striker over his blocked move to Manchester United.

The Frenchman said last week that it was "disgusting" that he was being denied a dream move to Old Trafford and there were suggestions that talk of a £10m transfer had led to a poor performance in the 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough.

But his spirited, goalscoring effort in the 2-1 win against Everton on Saturday was hailed by Clark, who said: "There was no doubting Louis's commitment against Everton or Boro.

"His attitude has been brilliant and he is a cracking lad. There has been a bit of friction outside so once he is in the club we have been winding him up and I think that has helped him.

"I can see the situation from his side and the club's, but we just try to take the gloss off it and have a laugh. Whenever it has been raining we have said to him that's what it is like in Manchester every day and sometimes I think he gets mixed up and calls me Roy Keane in training!

"I am not sure he understands my Geordie all the time but he seems to laugh anyway."