SPL: O’Neill issues warning over Burns

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has told the Scottish Football Association to get in touch with him if they want to use Tommy Burns as a coach.

Scotland’s new supremo Berti Vogts indicated that he wanted the Celtic youth boss to join him in his management team and the speculation continues.

But O’Neill has denied any contact has been made and insisted that if the SFA want Burns they would have to approach him first.

‘‘Contrary to what has appeared, I’ve had no contact whatsoever with the SFA,’’ said O’Neill.

‘‘I have had no contact about Tommy Burns’ situation. Tommy Burns is under contract here and if they want us then somebody should speak to us about it in a proper fashion.’’

Meanwhile, O’Neill is backing under-fire defender Bobo Balde to weather the current storm and become a top-quality defender at Parkhead.

The Frenchman is being portrayed as the bad boy of Scottish football after the recent incident with Hibernian defender Paul Fenwick, but will play at Pittodrie tonight after appealing against his suspension.

O’Neill admits he still has a lot to learn, but he expects Balde to become an even bigger hero with the Hoops’ faithful.

‘‘Bobo is coming in for some criticism,’’ said O’Neill. ‘‘Some has been brought upon by himself and a fair amount not so.

‘‘He will continue to be the focus of attention until everything settles down and things will settle down.

‘‘It’s only last year that people were calling for Lorenzo Amoruso to be hoisted out of Rangers.

‘‘He settled down to become what he has always been, a top-class player, and Bobo Balde has a lot to learn but has the potential to be a really top-quality defender for Celtic in the next couple of seasons.’’

The Irishman is also concerned about the bad attention that Neil Lennon has been getting from opposition fans but he believes he can handle it.

O’Neill added: ‘‘It will settle down and Neil Lennon, for some reason or another, seems to be booed outside of every place he goes.

‘‘I often wonder for what reason, but I’ve often said before that these things are part of the game.’’

O’Neill is sweating on the fitness of Henrik Larsson, Johan Mjallby and Joos Valgaeren for tonight’s Tennent’s Scottish Cup quarter-final at Aberdeen.