German giants chasing Hartson

Hertha Berlin claim they are moving closer to signing Celtic striker John Hartson.

Hartson’s future at Parkhead has been thrown into doubt as contract talks with Celtic become increasingly protracted.

The Welshman will be free to speak to other clubs in January, given that his current deal expires in the summer, and Hertha are believed to be one of a number of sides waiting in the wings.

The Bundesliga club are hopeful of landing the big striker. General manager Dieter Hoeness told the Daily Record: “It is our policy never to discuss the individual players but there is no doubt that we are interested in getting a new forward in for the summer.

“Our scouts are watching a number of possible signings and it is correct that John Hartson is a player we are looking at. We are now closing the fishing net in more and more.

“We started with a big list of targets and there are fewer and fewer names on it. But Hartson is still there.

“We have had talks with his agent in the last week but I can’t say any more than that. I don’t comment on intermediate results. Let’s just say that Hartson is a player we are following very closely.”

New Borussia Monchengladbach boss Dick Advocaat has also been linked with a move for Hartson four years after he pulled out of signing the player for Rangers on medical grounds.

Reports also suggest that Advocaat is chasing Rangers defender Craig Moore.