O'Neill keen on new deals for trio

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has hinted he will wait until John Hartson makes a full recovery from his back problems before offering him a new contract.

O’Neill has made it clear he will sit down with the Welshman, Bobo Balde and Neil Lennon, who only have months left to run on their deals, to discuss extensions when he gets some time.

Chris Sutton and Alan Thompson had new deals finalised in quick time but O’Neill insists there is no problem with the other three and discussions will begin soon.

O’Neill said: “Alan and Chris’ contracts were sorted out, Bobo Balde, I am sure, we would like to get something sorted, especially as there was firm interest from Newcastle.

“Neil is in a position where he is slightly older than the people we have just mentioned.

“And John, whatever you say, is still doing very, very well in terms of recovering from injuries.

“There will always be some reason why things take a little longer.

“In John’s case he has to stay fit and healthy and then get even fitter.

“If you are asking me will John, Neil and Bobo have difficulty playing at any club a year on the answer would be no.”

Meanwhile, Stephen Pearson is frustrated with his lack of first-team opportunities this season.

But O’Neill has told the young midfielder that it is up to him to show he warrants a starting place.

He said: “Stephen came in in a real blaze of glory and at the time he arrived he maybe did not expect to get into the side.

“But at the time Alan Thompson was injured, and he started off very brightly.

“You know you will get that period after that settling in bit, and it is great if you can continue that form.

“But at the end of the season I thought he had done very well.

“Now other people have come back to fitness and some of the younger players are starting to make even further inroads, and there is a battle on.

“It is absolutely up to him to come through that and I am sure he will do.”

Scotland international Pearson admitted he anticipated a cooling down period after his success of last season but is determined to get back into the team.

He said: “This is probably what I expected to happen when I came here, considering the size of the club.

“I have still got a lot to learn and I have time on my side, but I don’t want to be sitting too long, I want to play in every game. I would play anywhere to get into the side.”