THE Celtic chairman, Fergus McCann, and his manager, Tommy Burns, yesterday took the unprecedented step of publicly branding one of their most celebrated players a liar.

The stigma was attached to Pierre van Hooijdonk, the Dutch striker, who was dropped for last Saturday's match against Rangers at Ibrox amid allegations from Burns that he was guilty of several breaches of club discipline.

Van Hooijdonk had claimed, during a well aired defence on radio and in newspapers, that he was being forced out of Parkhead, although he insisted he had not asked for a move. That's not the case," McCann countered. "At a meeting in my office ten days ago, at which the player and three other people, including myself, were present, he told us that if he didn't get the increase in terms on his present contract that he was after, he wanted to leave the club.

"He was told then, and it still goes, that we are prepared to better his wages if he will sign an extension to his existing agreement, which, don't forget, still has 21 months to run. All he wants is more money without the further commitment."

Burns also revealed that van Hooijdonk had told him at the end of last season that he had heard Feyenoord were interested in him and he wanted to go there. Van Hooijdonk, who has scored 52 goals since he signed from NAC Breda in January, 1995, has established himself as a favourite in the affections of Celtic supporters.

But Burns yesterday talked of the player's misbehaviour and his disruptive influence in the dressing room and claimed that if van Hooijdonk is to be considered for Celtic's forthcoming matches "he will have to learn humility."

The manager said that van Hooijdonk refused to take part in several commercial and charitable promotions for Celtic, had refused to join team mates in prematch warm ups when ordered and had generally caused unrest. Players are coming in here and asking how is he getting away with this or getting away with that " said Burns.

. Sunderland manager Peter Reid remained defiant yesterday after his touchline bust up with referee Paul Danson. The Roker manager is waiting to hear whether he lands in hot water with the FA over Saturday's outburst at Arsenal.

He said: "I said what I had to say at the weekend and I stand by it. Now I'll await any further developments.