Scottish Football: Celtic struggle intensifies

THE BATTLE for control of Celtic could be resolved this week if the members of a five-man pact of club directors agree to sell their shares to a consortium of Glasgow businessmen. But the whole muddle could become more complicated if Fergus McCann, the Canadian businessman who has had one approach turned down, re-enters the fray, writes David McKinney.

David Smith, Tom Grant and Chris White are thought to be ready to sell some or all of their shares, while the other two in the pact, the cousins Michael and Kevin Kelly, are keen to hold on.

While McCann is assessing the situation, Smith is trying to persuade the others to follow his lead by accepting the deal on the table. This could be worth around pounds 300 per share.

On the field, Celtic recorded their first win of the year and their first away win since last October in beating Hearts 2-0 thanks to two goals from Charlie Nicholas. At Ibrox, Gordon Durie scored for Rangers but was later carried off with an ankle injury in the 2-0 win over Hibs.