Celtic's preparations for the final game of the season, the one which seems certain to deliver them the premier division title, were still being overshadowed last night by the worries over the future of their Dutch coach, Wim Jansen.

Yesterday at Celtic Park, neither Jansen nor the other main protagonist in the latest Parkhead soap opera, general manager Jock Brown, were willing to discuss whether or not the coach would continue in his post when the season ends.

There were strong suggestions from Holland last night that Jansen will announce his departure within the next few days because of what now amounts to a complete break in relations between himself and the general manager.

While maintaining that today's game remained uppermost in his thoughts, Brown did admit how-ever: ''Wim is calling the shots in this matter.

''There is no change in his position and I have nothing to say about it. I have no comment to make.

''If Wim is to say something next week then that is up to him.''

Earlier at a press conference - Jansen and Brown did not appear together to face the media - the Dutchman, who has a get-out clause in the deal he signed at the start of this epic season, had indicated that he might reveal his intentions when he is with the team in Lisbon for the friendly game on Tuesday against Sporting Club.

Initially Jansen had said: ''I really want to talk only about tomorrow's game.'' However, when pressed, he did add: ''I shall be travelling with the team to Lisbon for the game - that is normal. To be there when the team is playing. It may be that next week I shall talk more about the situation. However, at the moment we have to be thinking only of the title and the match tomorrow.

''Nothing else matters right now.''

Brown took the same stance, and when asked whether the support should be kept informed about the behind-the-scenes disagreements, he stated: ''We are acting in the best interests of the club here. We don't believe it would be helpful to the club at this time to talk about anything other than the game against St Johnstone at Celtic Park.

''There is just nothing at all to say about the Wim Jansen situation.''

Clearly, though, there will be more to say when Jansen does break his silence, which could be within the next few days. The Dutchman, by then, may have guided the Parkhead team to the championship and ended their years of famine, and the fans would then want to see him remain in place.

However, Dutch sources continue to say that Jansen will simply walk away whether he wins the title or not.

He is perceived as a man of principle and if he believes that he is not being allowed to do his job as he wants to, then he will simply resign. The get-out clause allows that, of course.

There is no suggestion that he has another job to go to, just the belief that he is not a man who allows his authority over playing matters to be eroded in any way.

The backroom problems have been there for some time now, and soon they will be settled and the truth, hopefully, will be out in the open.

As Celtic left for a secret hotel hideout last night - a break from routine at the request of the players - Rangers travelled north to Dundee, where they must play Dundee United at Tannadice this afternoon in the other game which could yet have a vital bearing on the title destination.

For those who do not yet know the details, Celtic have only to win to be champions. If they fail to do so and Rangers achieve victory on Tayside, then the Ibrox team will take their tenth successive premier division title.

Old Firm previews: Pages 2 and 3