CELTIC have set a 72-hour deadline on their attempts to bring Portuguese international Jorge Cadete to Scotland - or they could switch their attention to Rangers target Ulf Kirsten.

The Cadete deal, which has been in negotiation for a fortnight, took another twist as Celtic were granted conditional clearance for the player by the Portuguese football authorities. But the Parkhead club are not prepared to sign Cadete with the condition attached that they may have to pay a fee set by a FIFA tribunal at a later date.

Cadete's status with Sporting Lisbon - whether or not he is a free agent - is at the centre of the red-tape wrangle.

Celtic manager Tommy Burns, preparing his side for tomorrow's televised Tennents Scottish Cup quarter-final with Dundee United, admitted he wants a decision soon. "The latest position is that we have been given a conditional clearance from the Portuguese FA, but that we may have to go to a tribunal at a later date.

That doesn't suit us at all. I'd like it sorted out in the next two or three days. I don't want it dragging on any longer than that. It's fair to say that we have other people in mind and the way the team is playing I'm not desperate to sign someone.

Cadete is not in Scotland and Burns would not confirm reports that Bayer Leverkusen's German international striker Kirsten will fly in for talks this weekend. Celtic striker Andreas Thom also signed from Leverkusen.

Celtic, meanwhile, will bid to extend their unbeaten domestic run to 26 games tomorrow against Dundee United. Burns is set to give a vote of confidence to

Scotland Under-21 international winger Brian McLaughlin, even though John Collins is fit.

McLaughlin replaced Collins for last wcek's 4-0 win over Hearts, scoring one goal and setting up another in a superb display. Bums said: "Brian had to wait patiently for his chance and look it with both hands. I've told players that if they get in and play well they will stay in, so there is no point in me saying that if I don't stick with it.