Hartson prepared for Celtic exit
John Hartson fears his Celtic career is coming to an end.
The Wales striker joined the Hoops in August 2001 from Coventry and is the club’s leading goalscorer this season.
But Parkhead manager Martin O’Neill has already hinted that, after two back operations, the forward must prove his fitness to earn a new contract when his current deal expires in the summer.
However, the 29-year-old concedes he is already mentally preparing to depart the club, although he is adamant he wants to stay.
Hartson said: “I am happy here. My family is settled. I love playing for this football club and in front of unbelievable supporters – it’s the kind of thing I dreamed of as a kid.
“I’d be delighted to do that for the next three or four years, two years, whatever I’m offered or given – if I’m given anything.
“But, in my head, I’ve realised that, if it doesn’t happen here, I’ve still got to be right for whatever else may happen. I’m on a Bosman in five or six months and I’ll have to be flying. If it doesn’t happen here – and I hope to God it does – then I have to be ready for whatever other options come up.
“I’ve got that into my system now and that’s what I have to concentrate on. I’m not saying I’m playing to get away. I am playing for myself and playing for the next four years. I want to put on record that I want to stay here. I do love this club, that’s the honest truth.
“But if it doesn’t happen here, I’m only 29 and feel I have four or five more years at the highest level.”
Meanwhile, Shakhtar Donetsk defender Cosmin Barcauan has blamed Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov for over-reacting to get him dismissed in the Champions League tie on Tuesday.
The full-back was red-carded for a second caution in the Hoops’ 1-0 win for a foul on the Bulgarian but insists the “antics” of Petrov ensured his second booking.
Barcauan told the Scottish Daily Express: “I went for the ball and slightly mis-timed my challenge. It was a foul but I didn’t think it was worthy of anything else and certainly not a second yellow card.
“I don’t think the referee would have shown me the red card if it hadn’t been for the antics of the Celtic player.
“He dived to make the challenge look worse than it actually was. He got me sent off and it is disappointing that a fellow professional would do something like that.”
