By Cathal Dervan

John Hartson scored twice as Celtic stretched their lead at the top of the Scottish League thanks to a thrilling 3-2 win over Hibs on Saturday, but manager Gordon Strachan was far from satisfied.

The Bhoys are now three points clear of Hearts at the summit after Shaun Maloney also scored in the Parkhead win, but Strachan still found fault.

“It was entertaining for people who came to watch the game but for the coaches it will be a restless night,” said Strachan afterwards. “I am not annoyed — just delighted to have won the game.

“We conceded from a set play and I don’t like losing goals from them so we have to look at that. I wasn’t happy with the second one as well. But there was some great stuff and it was a great game as I predicted. There were a lot of Scottish kids played their part in a great game of football.”

Japanese import Shunsuke Nakamura won the man of the match award and Strachan added, “He is fantastic. Despite the number of kicks he takes, he is prepared to take the ball again and comes up with plenty of assists. He takes them and starts our counter attacks. He is very brave and intelligent.”

Captain Neil Lennon added, “I really enjoy playing alongside Shunsuke. He’s got that something different about his play, a creative edge and a freshness. I suppose any signing is a risk and it would have been difficult for him to adjust. However, he has bedded himself in really well.”

Two goal hero Hartson is also looking forward to the New Year’s Day trip to Hearts and said, “That is a massive game for us. There will be a great atmosphere but there are two games before that one. Inverness have had a great result there but we just have to take care of what we are doing.

“We know Hearts have done exceptionally well to be where they are. They are not expected to be there. We are always expected to be there — nothing else is acceptable for a club like Celtic. But Hearts are still battling away.”

Keane’s Next Move

Roy Keane will announce the identity of his next club by the end of the week – with Real Madrid the red-hot favorites to sign the former Manchester United and Ireland captain.

Reports in Spain say that Keane has already undergone a medical and agreed terms with the Spanish giants, but his agent Michael Kennedy has again claimed that no deal is yet complete.

Celtic, Manchester City, Everton and Bolton are still in the hunt for Keane but it looks more likely than ever that he will sign a six month contract in Madrid with an option for another year.

Real have confirmed their interest in Keane. A spokesperson for the club said, “Roy is on a list of possible signings we are discussing. Nothing has been decided so far and he has not passed a medical, nor will he do so in the next couple of days.

“What is true is that the player was offered to the club around a month ago and because of his characteristics he is the sort of player that interests the technical staff. They are going to sit down in seven or eight days and decide on who, if anyone, the club will sign when the transfer window opens.”

Keane’s former international colleague Tony Cascarino believes the player can make an impact in Spain.

“Roy would get on quietly with his job and do what he does best – training hard and playing hard, leading by example,” said Cascarino.

“He hates prima donnas, and Real have a number of galactico prima donnas, but he would sort them out straight away. Not by work, but by deed. Actions always speak louder than words. If he could pick up a few expletives in the local lingo then all the better.

“His aura and presence – and those killer eyes – would command instant respect. Real have not had a real leader for some time, but their players would soon appreciate the five-star general in their midst. They could not fail to be lifted by him.”

Everton drew 1-1 with United on Sunday and manager David Moyes admitted afterwards, “Roy’s a player that I would like to bring to Everton but we have not heard anything yet. I’m sure I am the same as eight or 10 other managers that are waiting for a decision but I respect that Roy will take his time and make the decision that is best for himself.”

Given’s Deal

Arsenal are reportedly waiting in the wings with a January offer as Irish goalkeeper Shay Given awaits a new contract offer from Newcastle United.

Given’s current deal expires in 18 months, but the Donegal man has been frustrated by the club’s delay in agreeing terms.

“I suppose I’m disappointed that it’s got to this stage but that’s what the chairman does normally, he leaves it to the last minute. It might have been better if he had come to me in the summer,” said Given.

“In an ideal world I want to stay but it has to be right financially for my future and the family. But there are football issues as well. I don’t want to hang my gloves up and think about what could have been — I want to win trophies.”

Dunne Demolishes

Bernard Dunne won his first fight on continental Europe on Saturday night when he demolished Romanian Marian Leondraliu after just six rounds in the German city of Leipzig on Saturday night.

“It was great to have made a successful continental debut,” Dunne told the Irish Independent. “I had known very little about Leondraliu, though I was familiar with some of his world-rated opponents. He was tough but I knew I would get to him. The win has kept me in the public eye.”

Clarke Off Target

Darren Clarke had no excuses after two bogeys in the last three holes cost him victory at the Target World Challenge in California on Sunday when he was beaten into second by two shots by England’s Luke Donald. Padraig Harrington was tied for third alongside Michael Campbell.

“It was obviously disappointing,” said Clarke. “I swung it pretty poorly all day and it was going left a bit. And then bogeying two holes out of the last three was not really the way I wanted to finish.”

Byrne’s Move

Shelbourne striker Jason Byrne is poised to move to Swedish club Djurgarden in a record Eircom League transfer.

The Reds have received an offer worth over €500,000 for the 26-year-old Irish international, who has topped the domestic scoring charts for the last three years.

Former club Bray Wanderers are also entitled to a cut of the fee which is expected to be agreed in time to allow Byrne to move to Sweden by the end of the week.

Soccer Shorts

New Shamrock Rovers boss Pat Scully has appointed Paul Fagan as his assistant after the pair worked together at Kilkenny City. Rovers have released Keith Doyle, Kieran Foley, Will McDonagh, Gavin McDonnell and Keith O’Halloran . . .

NEW Dundalk boss John Gill has further strengthened his squad by signing Monaghan striker Philip Hughes, UCD defender Aidan Lynch and goalkeeper Niall Gallagher. Dundalk have released veteran defender Stephen McGuinness . . .

GALWAY United have re-signed Barry Moran and Eric Lavine for the new season. Manager Stephen Lally has also signed Athlone winger Stephen Gavin and is in talks with Sligo Rovers star Ciaran Foley . . .

FAI Cup winners Drogheda United have resigned Lansdowne Road goal scorers Declan O’Brien and Gavin Whelan. Drogs boss Paul Doolin is also keen on Longford defender Sean Dillon . . .

IRISH soccer’s fall from grace has been confirmed with the news that the Ireland team will be fourth seeds in the draw for the European Championship qualifiers next month . . .

PREMIER League newcomers Dublin City have signed striker Mark Rooney from Drogheda along with Ger McCarthy, Paul Crowley, Gavin McDonnell and Damien Brennan . . .

MANCHESTER City defender Richard Dunne has been suspended for a week after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 2-0 defeat at West Brom on Saturday . . .

VETERAN winger Mark Rutherford has switched Dublin clubs once again, signing for St. Patrick’s Athletic on a free transfer from Shamrock Rovers . . .

CORK City winger Roy O’Donovan has been named player of the month for November by the Eircom Soccer Writers Association of Ireland . . .

LIVERPOOL’S Irish under-21 international Darren Potter has been ruled out of the world club championships in Japan with a back injury.

MANCHESTER City’s Dublin-born winger Willo Flood has undergone surgery on a hernia and will be out for at least a month . . .

FORMER Waterford United player and manager Johnny Matthews has applied to take charge of Kilkenny City . . .

ATHLONE Town have confirmed the appointment of club legend Michael O’Connor as their new boss.

Sports Shorts

AUSSIE Rules side Sydney Swans have given star import Tadhg Kennelly a month’s compassionate leave after the sudden death of his father Tim, the former Kerry All-Ireland winner . . .

RUBY Walsh and Kieren Fallon were named national hunt and flat jockeys of the year respectively at the Irish Racing Awards on Monday. Cheltenham hero Kicking King was named horse of the year . . .

IRELAND failed to feature amongst the medals at the European Cross Country Championships in Holland on Sunday when Gary Murray finished 12th in the men’s race while Linda Byrne finished in fourth place in the women’s junior race.