Bellamy? That's my Bhoy United's graft no match for Welshman's craft as Celtic grind out crucial victory

ROLL up, roll up to witness the Craig Bellamy show before it leaves town. Kylie Minogue is performing in Glasgow this week, but will struggle to stage a show as classy as the Welshman's on Saturday.

His hat trick against Dundee United was a joy to watch.

Regardless of which team you support, try to take your kids along to see him strut his stuff in the flesh at least once. For all the positive noises made about Bellamy staying at Celtic Park next season, there is more chance of him opening a charm school.

There is no reason to doubt that Martin O'Neill, the Celtic manager, desperately wants to keep the on-loan Newcastle player beyond the summer. In reality, however, he must know the Parkhead biscuit tin does not run to quality chocolate biscuits any more.

Paying a transfer fee of around pounds-5m to Newcastle, plus a weekly wage of over pounds-30,000, is something that will make the Parkhead bean-counters baulk.

The future of Bellamy could have a huge bearing on the future of O'Neill. Who is to say that being told the money isn't there to keep the player could turn out to be the final straw for the Celtic coach?

Make no mistake, Bellamy, whatever you think of his attitude, has a talent which has graced the Scottish game. His hat trick was artistry itself.

His first was an outrageous shot from a tight angle which gave Tony Bullock no chance.

His second was a dipping shot which looped over the Dundee United keeper and into the net.

His third was a simple affair following a flick-on from Chris Sutton.

The performance even brought plaudits from within the Celtic dressing room, particularly from the younger players. "They were fantastic goals from Craig, " said Ross Wallace, who came on as a second-half substitute. "He has unbelievable pace to get in behind defenders and his first two goals were outstanding and show his ability. He can bring out the best in players about him, especially the younger ones like myself and Aiden [McGeady]."

Minutes after Saturday's game Bellamy said he would like to stay at Celtic if a deal could be done. It's a nice thought for Celtic supporters, but you just feel, despite his comments, that the Welshman would quite fancy going back to the English Premiership.

The reason? Graeme Souness said Bellamy would never play for Newcastle United as long as he was manager, as he didn't like his attitude. How sweet would it be for Bellamy to sign for another English club and prove Souness wrong?

One side-effect of Bellamy's great performance was the lacklustre display from McGeady, despite the fact that Wallace believes they complement each other.

The young Irishman has been in good form in recent weeks, but had a stinker against United. It was as if he was trying too hard to emulate Bellamy in terms of playing with panache and style. He tried to go on mazy runs, but was meandering across the pitch and created no danger.

O'Neill may be wondering if his team has the right balance, with both McGeady and Bellamy in its ranks.

The only down-side for Celtic was a setback in the return from injury of Sutton. The prolific striker came on as a second-half substitute but limped off with a recurrence of his hamstring strain.

The much-maligned Rab Douglas had a good day at the office and it was his diving save from a last-minute Barry Robson free kickwhich secured all three points for Celtic. His performance will give him confidence for Scotland's match against Italy in the San Siro stadium next Saturday.

O'Neill revealed after the game that Juninho, the Brazilian playmaker, is set to leave the club and return to Brazil, possibly in a move to Palmeiras. That may release some much-needed transfer cash for the Celtic manager, but not enough to secure Bellamy on a long-term deal.

Gordon Chisholm, the caretaker manager of Dundee United, admitted that Bellamy was the difference between the sides. He was absolutely right.

United played some good football and, on the strength of this performance, it is hard to believe that they are at the bottom of the Bank of Scotland Premierleague. If it wasn't for the Welshman, they could have secured at least a point.

Chisholm took a gamble by playing a 3-5-2 formation to allow his team an extra man in the middle of the park. It backfired, as it let Bellamy run at three big central defenders from wide positions. With the turning circle of players like Alan Archibald and Garry Kenneth akin to that of an ocean liner, he had a field day.

United do have quality players and scored two good goals.

Jim McIntyre pounced after uncertainty in the Celtic defence and Robson's longrange effort gave Douglas no chance before Bellamy popped up with the late winner.

McIntyre said he was delighted at the way United had fought back after a difficult week in which they sacked their manager, Ian McCall.

"Football is ruthless at times and you have to get on with it, and having such a big game round the corner helped us concentrate our minds, " said McIntyre. "We are keen for Gordon Chisholm to get the manager's job and, hopefully, if we can put in a few performances like we did against Celtic, the chairman will offer him it."

On any other day, McIntyre and Chisholm would have been celebrating a Dundee United victory after such a decent display. However, noone can legislate for class players like Bellamy. Celtic fans and lovers of football should enjoy him while they can.