JOHN HARTSON could have to carry the burden of Celtic's attack against AC Milan next week, but his long-term future at Parkhead remains unclear.

Martin O'Neill last night appeared to suggest the Welsh internationalist may have to further improve his fitness before discussions over a new contract reach a meaningful stage.

Hartson's agent, Jonathan Barnett, was quoted this week as saying up to five Premiership clubs were waiting to snatch his client from Celtic should the right kind of contract offer not be forthcoming. The striker, who has recovered from surgery on his back last season, has already scored eight goals for club and country during the current campaign.

As well as Hartson, the contracts of Bobo Balde and Neil Lennon expire at the end of this season. O'Neill moved to assure fans there was no reason for concern over the delay in securing new deals, but stopped short of offering a cast-iron guarantee to Hartson.

The Celtic manager said: ''With Bobo Balde, I am sure we would like to get something sorted there, especially as there was genuine interest from Newcastle United. I think Neil is in a position where he is just slightly older than the others mentioned. John, whatever you say, is doing very, very well in terms of recovering from injury.

''There will always be some sort of reason why things take a wee bit longer. In John's case, he's got to stay fit, stay healthy and get even fitter. All of those things come into the equation.''

O'Neill will not be harassed by Barnett's manoeuvrings in the media. He said: ''I know Jonathan and he can never be accused of not doing the absolute utmost for his client. I wouldn't get overly-excited by his comments, endearing as he is.''

Chris Sutton's groin injury continued to trouble him yesterday and the Englishman may sit out today's Bank of Scotland Premierleague meeting with Dunfermline. That would leave him as a doubt for Wednesday's Champions League encounter with Milan in the San Siro and place further onus on Hartson.

O'Neill said: ''Chris didn't train today and we'll see how he is in the morning. We have an extra day of recovery compared with [the first game against] Barcelona, but if he was to turn round and say he was feeling much better and he wanted to play against Dunfermline, there is a fair chance we would play him.''

O'Neill was in the San Siro on Wednesday night, in the company of chief scout Tom O'Neill, to witness Milan's 2-1 defeat against newly-promoted Messina. He said: ''Messina had two attacks in the game. The first half was all Milan and I wouldn't get too carried away about them being in a slump or anything. Honestly, it was 90% possession for Milan.

''The atmosphere on a European night will be totally different and it will be a tough game. But we have to go and try and get something. By their own high standards, it has perhaps been a bit of a stodgy start. But let me put it this way - I would rather be playing Messina.''

The fantastic quality of Milan's squad was emphasised as much by the players sitting in the stand as those on the field. O'Neill said: ''Jaap Stam didn't play and wasn't on the bench, so I assume he was injured or being rested.

''They had four at the back, [Rino] Gattuso, [Andrea] Pirlo and [Clarence] Seedorf in midfield and three in front of them - Kaka, [Filippo] Inzaghi and [Andriy] Shevchenko. Jon Dahl Tomasson, Rui Costa and Serginho came on as substitutes. [Hernan] Crespo didn't - in fact, he was sitting behind me in the stand.

''But first we have to win against Dunfermline. That is vitally important and I won't let my mind drift.''

An effectively second-string Celtic side thrashed Falkirk

8-1 in the third round of the CIS Insurance Cup, and Stephen Pearson is hoping to have done enough to earn another chance against David Hay's side this afternoon.

He said: ''It was great to get my first start of the season and 90 minutes under my belt. You want to play in every game and I was looking to build on the decent start I made with the club last season. But the manager has brought in Juninho and he has been doing really well. I just have to keep working hard and hope for a chance. I am young and have time on my side, but I don't want to be sitting out for too long - I want to play every game.''

However, O'Neill warned the former Motherwell midfielder he faces further fresh competition to regain a starting place. He said: ''Some of the younger players such as Ross Wallace and Aiden McGeady have made further inroads and there is battle now. I have no doubts Stephen will come through it.''