Hartson bid accepted... but...

31 May 2006

It's been rumoured for a while, but West Bromwich Albion have now had a bid of ?500,000 accepted by Celtic for the services of striker John Hartson. However, it doesn't seem as though the Welshman is awfully keen to leave Scotland to join us. Quoted in the Daily Record, Harston had the following to say about the deal:

"I'm shocked and disappointed. I had no intention or desire to leave the club this summer and I would like the fans to know that. I've had things to resolve in my private life but I felt I had sorted everything out. I've retired from international football to give me more time to see my kids and I was totally focused on going back to Celtic and trying to help the club reclaim the title and make a real push in the Champions League. I love the club so much, in fact, that I'd spoken to friends recently about staying on for another year and ending my career in Glasgow. But now this, it has knocked me for six. All I can do is discuss with my agent what happens next and I'll do that in the coming days. But right now I need some time to digest what has just happened, it has come as a bombshell."

Rumours also suggest that Harston was on ?25,000 a week, which might put something of a strain on our wage bill. What the report doesn't make clear is whether Hartson is shocked at being sold by Celtic, being bought by Albion or both.

Meanwhile, the Official Web Site has revealed the shock news that Kanu may not be with us next season as he's on very high wages and we can't afford them in the Championship. A clause in his contract says that either side can terminate the contract in the event of relegation from the Premiership - we've started discussions with his agent but it's not looking good.

Sorry - we said "shock news" there. What we actually meant was "not even remotely surprising news". The official site then bravely tries to soften the blow by reassuring us that negotiations with Steve Watson (who has a similar clause) and Kevin Campbell (who is now out of contract) are still continuing.

Previous Stories:

  29 April 2006:  S4A Forum: May 11th

  04 April 2006:  Quiz Night at the Hawthorns

  02 April 2006:  Kiddy SC host... Kiddy FC

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