Scottish Premier League/Dunfermline - 0 Celtic - 2: Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has revealed he will be speaking to the agents of a number of players this week to get them to sign new contracts.
The Irishman watched his league champions return to the top of the table yesterday with a 2-0 victory over Dunfermline at East End Park and then admitted he would use a week off to speak to those stars who are soon to be out of contract.
Uncertainty over the future of John Hartson has been well documented, but Bobo Balde, Jackie McNamara, Robert Douglas, Joos Valgaeren and Neil Lennon are also nearing the end of their deals. "I am meeting John's agent in the early part of this week and I hope to start discussions with some other people," O'Neill said. "I have a rough idea of what I want to do and I hope that's the same for the players and the agents.
"There are players that we want to keep and I am hoping we can sort that out, but until everything is done then you can't be too confident. I hope to be able to try and resolve a few issues and see what we are able to do after that 10 days."
Before being struck down with a virus after his side's failure to qualify for the UEFA Cup, O'Neill also held discussions with the club board.
The former Leicester City manager wanted to know just how much he would get to spend in the January transfer window, but has not been given an answer yet.
"I haven't had that discussion with them and I haven't heard anything from them," he added. But O'Neill was delighted with the response of his players after the draw with AC Milan at Parkhead in midweek failed to secure a consolation UEFA Cup spot.
Chris Sutton and Stilian Petrov secured their return to the summit with first-half goals on the controversial East End Park plastic pitch. Sutton headed the opener from an Alan Thompson cross after 16 minutes and Petrov added the second after 31 with an acrobatic volley when Dunfermline failed to clear an Aiden McGeady free-kick properly.
"Winning today with the difficult surface was important, the Celtic manager admitted. "It was a big win for us and going back to the top of the league is a consequence. You are playing the conditions as much as the opposition and it's definitely difficult and treacherous."
Dunfermline manager Davie Hay refused to comment on reports linking former Dunfermline striker Stevie Crawford with a return to East End Park. He said bluntly: "You will find out when it happens."
Rangers had temporarily moved ahead of the champions on Saturday thanks to a 3-0 Ibrox victory over Dundee.
A goal each in the first four minutes from Nacho Novo and Dado Prso laid the foundations for the win, which was completed after the break by a Bob Malcolm strike which was as impressive as it was rare. The result, coupled with Dundee United's comprehensive win against Kilmarnock, puts Dundee firmly in the drop zone.
Meanwhile, Scottish Cup holders Celtic have been drawn to face their Old Firm rivals in next month's third round. O'Neill's men, who knocked out their Glasgow neighbours in the quarter-finals last season, will have home advantage for the last-32 meeting.
There are top-flight clashes between Kilmarnock and Motherwell and Hibernian and Dundee - while Dundee United will not be relishing their long trip south to face big-spending third division pace-setters Gretna. Last season's beaten finalists Dunfermline also face a tricky tie, awaiting the replay between Highland League side Huntly and East Fife. Ties will be played the weekend of January 8th/9th.
DUNFERMLINE: Stillie, Nicholson, Scott Wilson,Labonte (Ross 83), Scott Thomson, Donnelly (Hunt 72), Darren Young, Mason, Dempsey, Mehmet, Tod.Subs Not Used: Langfield, Bradley, Butler, Campbell, Scullion. Booked: Ross.
CELTIC: Hedman, McNamara, Balde, Varga, Valgaeren, McGeady, Petrov, Lennon, Thompson, Sutton, Hartson. Subs Not Used: Marshall, Juninho Paulista, Lambert, Laursen, Camara, Wallace, Lawson.Goals: Sutton 16, Petrov 31.
Referee: H Dallas (Scotland).
