Pizzi's in for a slice of pounds 5m.

Celtic are close to sealing their pounds 5million swoop forBarcelona ace Juan Antonio Pizzi.

Agent Ricardo Schliepel is expected in Britain next week to setpersonal terms - around pounds 1million a season for four years - withCelts' general manager Jock Brown.

Schliepel said: "I have been trying to contact Jock Brown butI think he was on holiday for a few days.

"I have been talking to the Barcelona president Mr Nunez andperhaps the clubs will sort something out."

Meanwhile, it's understood Celts are finally set to offerpounds 1.7m to Borussia Dortmund for Scotland midfielder Paul Lambert.

But Dortmund general manager Michael Meier said: "We have alot of injuries in midfield and with the Champions League looming wedon't want to let Paul go."

TOMMY BURNS last night revealed that making the Champions Leaguehas lifted a huge pressure off Newcastle boss Kenny Dalglish.

The former Celtic manager - now No.2 with the Geordie giants - isgearing up for Wednesday night's opener against Barcelona.

And he said: "Making it has taken a lot of heat off Kenny.It's as if we've done something huge already."

FALKIRK chairman George Fulston last night vowed to SUE the PremierLeague's rebels if they deny the Bairns access to the top flight.

Even if they won the First Division Falkirk could be snubbed fornot having a seated stadium.

But Fulston said: "Any team that wins promotion must go up.Otherwise it is restraint of trade and that is a legal matter."

BRIAN LAUDRUP aims to top his wonder show for Denmark in midweek toshoot his nation to France 98.

The Rangers ace scored and inspired the 3-1 win over Croatia andthe Danes need a point against Greece to make the Finals.

Brian, disappointed that Denmark failed to make the 1989 and 1993Finals, said: "I will be even better against Greece. I've hadenough World Cup pain."

Laudrup was replaced by Celtic's Morten Wieghorst againstCroatia and he is set to start against Greece with Per Frandsensuspended.

MOTHERWELL midfielder Shaun McSkimming will be out for anothermonth after a knee infection following a cruciate ligament op.

Meanwhile, Well want Hibs' defender Gordon Hunter and EasterRoad midfielder Brian Grant is attracting Division 1 sides.

DUNFERMLINE veteran Craig Robertson is a target for the hotseat atBerwick Rangers.

SCOTLAND defender Tom Boyd is desperate to help his country to anew level in the World Cup Finals in France next summer.

The Celtic star said: "The lads want to go into the historybooks as the first Scottish team to get past the first round."

SCOTLAND'S women footballers hit 12 goals in their first WorldCup qualifiers. Ayr United's Julie Fleeting - daughter of formerKillie boss Jim - got four in the 7-1 rout of Estonia and three in the5-0 win over Lithuania. Their next clash is at home to the CzechRepublic in April.

Pete to step up

PARTICK THISTLE ace Peter Hetherston is favourite for the job asmanager John McVeigh's No.2.

McVeigh, who lost Kenny McDowall to Celtic last week, rates hismidfielder highly. Other names in the frame are Ayr United coach MickOliver and former Hibs and Airdrie defender Tommy McIntyre.

Meanwhile, Jags midfielder Nicky Henderson is set to return afternine months out with ligament damage and McVeigh said: "It'slike getting a new player."