Hartson agent denies Hertha talks

John Hartson’s agent Jonathan Barnett tonight 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 that he had already held discussions which prompted accusations from Celtic first team coach Steve Walford that the Welshman has been “tapped-up”

But today’s comments from Walford prompted Barnett to make a statement on the subject.

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 current employers Celtic FC.”