CELTIC are ready to unload the Dutch striker Pierre van Hooydonk, whose contractual dispute with the club has taken a turn for the worse.

In an interview with a tabloid newspaper in which he has a regular column, van Hooydonk described Celtic's offer of £7,000 a week as "good for the homeless, but not for an international striker". He has two caps for Holland, both as a substitute in the recent World Cup ties against Wales.

Van Hooydonk and his agent Rob Jansen began to make waves a few months ago, when they learned that other foreign players who had joined Celtic after him were earning much larger basic wages. The Dutchman is understood to be earning £3,000 a week while players such as Andreas Thom and Paolo di Canio have more than three times that amount.

Celtic said they would be happy to offer him a new deal, but it would extend his current agreement - which still has 18 months to run - by three years. Van Hooydonk was unwilling to commit himself, insisting that he simply be given more money on his present contract.

In the newspaper interview, van Hooydonk said: "Don't get me wrong, it's a good offer. I mean, it would be good for the homeless, but not for an international striker."

Tommy Burns, the Celtic manager, is understood to be seething at the player's comment about the £7,000 offer, regarding it as an appalling insult to homeless people. Many at the club believe the quote betrays van Hooydonk's colours.

Van Hooydonk had also been accused by Burns earlier this season of awkward behaviour and a refusal to follow orders. Now thoroughly fed up with the player's apparent recalcitrance, Celtic will circularise agents informing them he is for sale.

His availability will be made official as soon as the club chairman, Fergus McCann, returns to work. He is absent because of a virus and his formal approval is needed. It is expected to be given.

Celtic paid NAC Breda £1.2 million for van Hooydonk in January, 1995, and he has scored more than 50 goals since, he came to Scotland. The Glasgow club will be looking for something in the region of £3 million.