Hartson agent’s denial

JOHN HARTSON’S agent Jonathan Barnett last night denied he had held talks with Hertha Berlin over the possibility of signing the Celtic striker in the January transfer window.

The Bundesliga club’s general director Dieter Hoeness claimed he had already held discussions which prompted accusations from Celtic first-team coach Steve Walford that the Welshman has been “tapped-up.” But yesterday’s comments from Walford prompted Barnett to make a statement.

He told www.stellargroup.co.uk: “contrary to various stories that have appeared in the media this week, I can confirm that I have not held discussions with any clubs in Germany, nor elsewhere, regarding the future of John Hartson, other than with his employers Celtic FC.”