Pearson heading for Parkhead

Celtic have finally agreed a fee of £350,000 (€502,500) for Motherwell midfielder Stephen Pearson.

The protracted transfer will go ahead after Well manager Terry Butcher admitted the player did not have the heart to remain at Fir Park.

The Scotland international will now begin negotiations over personal terms at Parkhead.

Well chairman Bill Dickie said the club were highly reluctant to allow the player to leave.

He said: “We have very reluctantly accepted an offer of £350,000 (€502,500) . Initially, Celtic offered £250,000 (€358,889) but that was wholly unacceptable.

“Although the offer was increased, we still feel it is substantially below the true value of the player and we were perfectly prepared to leave the matter to a tribunal.

“However, after extensive discussions with Terry Butcher, it became clear he did not have any confidence in Stephen Pearson being ready and willing to meet the challenges that will lie ahead at Fir Park until the end of the season.

“In view of that, it was agreed it was in the best interests of Motherwell to sell the player to Celtic.”