WITH a final pot-shot at managing director Fergus McCann, striker Pierre van Hooydonk yesterday severed his connection with Celtic, the team that brought him from the obscurity of Dutch side NAC Breda to the broad spotlight which accompanies Old Firm recognition, as he signed for Nottingham Forest in a deal that is worth at least #3m to the Parkhead club, but might rise to #4.5m in due course.

''I had two years at Celtic and, although there were some good times, there were also some bad times. I didn't have any problems with any of the other players at Celtic, all my problems came off the field with the chairman.

''We made agreements during contract talks but he never came back to me and that was disappointing.

''I have been very impressed with Phil Soar and Irving Scholar. They have shown me there is another way of dealing with contracts - the right way.''

McCann refused to join in the slanging match, saying: ''We are sorry to see Pierre leave. We wish him all the very best for the future.''

That was echoed by manager Tommy Burns who said: ''There is no doubt that Pierre did exceptionally well for us. He took us a vital step forward and I wish him every success at Forest.''

He did point out that the relationship between the player and the club had reached the stage where it was in both his and the club's interests that he went.

Van Hooydonk's continuing deter-mination to make his disenchantment public inevitably led to the parting of the ways. Said Burns: ''You can't run the risk of things like that spreading through your football club. Now, we have to move forward and aim for better quality players.''

The deal which was agreed by the clubs involves an immediate #3m payment, a further #500,000 if Forest escape relegation from the Premiership, and another #1m if van Hooydonk scores 20 goals in the next two seasons. Considering he cost #1.25m in January, 1995, it looks like a piece of decent business by McCann.

The Dutchman's new manager, Stuart Pearce, who will also play in the team along with him, hopes for some kind of motivation from his latterly unhappy time at Parkhead.

''He's an international-class player and you always want class players on your side.

''I don't see that there's an extra responsibility on him because of our predicament, but I am sure he can help us in our bid to get out of the spot of bother we are in.

''Hopefully, he's got a point to prove to Celtic, too, and that can be to our advantage.''

The transfer breaks the previous highest buy involving Forest, also a Dutchman, Brian Roy, who cost #2.5m in 1994.

Meanwhile, Celtic concentrated on more immediate matters, the premier division match against Kilmanock at Rugby Park tonight, although Burns did take time off to hint that the money received for the Dutchman would be made good use of. ''I don't want to make any promises but there are two or three players we would certainly like to have here,'' he said.

The manager dismissed suggestions that the man who has upstaged van Hooydonk, Jorge Cadete, has an injury problem.

''At this stage of the season players take knocks and, like Paul McStay, Peter Grant, and others, Jorge has taken one but it is not major.''

The one real doubt in the squad is Paolo Di Canio, who was taken off at half-time against Rangers because of a strained hamstring. He may be odds against appearing at Kilmarnock.

Some of the contenders for places played in the reserve side at Stark's Park yesterday and they will be checked before Burns decides his side but he seems certain to make changes to freshen up the side after the strains of the Old Firm match.

''Now we hope to carry on from that win but as we have used most of our squad of 22 players so far we don't intend to change that policy now. Players like Brian McLaughlin, Simon Donnelly, Chris Hay, and Brian O'Neil have made significant contributions this season.

''The biggest difference since the Rangers win is in the fans. They have got the boost that at last the bogy has been laid. The players, too, have been given a lift but there are eight league games still to play and we have to show the same desire and determin- ation as we did against Rangers if we are to win every one of them.

''This will be a difficult game and we have to be totally focused if we want to get the three points.''

One man pleased to hear about the departure of van Hooydonk was Killie manager Bobby Williamson. ''Thank God he is away because he was a right pain in the neck for us.

''He is an awkward big player who always caused problems for our defence, but it really shows the strength in depth of Celtic when they can let him go.''

While the former Rangers player is well aware of the morale boost the cup win on Thursday gave Celtic, he was quick to point out that his own side are in good mood, too, after their 5-2 win at Morton.

Paul Wright will play after recovering from a calf injury.