THE midfielder, Charles-Edouard Coridon, will tonight have the opportunity to persuade Martin O'Neill to add him to Celtic's options in that department of the team

It is an area from which Stilian Petrov may not be absent for long after positive news on his ankle injury.

Celtic face Tottenham Hotspur at Parkhead in the peculiar instance of a friendly taking place after the competitive action has begun. The news that Coridon has been given clearance to play from the French FA at least adds a more meaningful aspect to the match.

The 31-year-old, a Martinique internationalist, joined the Parkhead club on trial last week. O'Neill, understandably, will not make a decision on whether to offer a contract until he sees the former Lens player in match action.

Coridon, who scored six times in 32 Ligue 1 matches last season, appears determined to make a positive impression and revealed he has rejected advances from the Premiership to try his luck with Celtic.

He also drew comparisons between his own circumstances and those of Eric Cantona prior to embarking on his brilliant and combustible British career with Leeds United and Manchester United. O'Neill will hope Coridon's walk is as flamboyant as his talk.

He said: ''Of course, the most important thing is to show Martin O'Neill that I am worth a contract and I know I must do it in the game with Tottenham. But I have confidence in my ability or else I wouldn't be here.

''Some people have asked me why I have agreed to go on trial but, if a player like Eric Cantona was prepared to come to Britain to go on trial with Sheffield Wednesday, why would any French player refuse?

''It doesn't worry me that I have to prove myself. Eric took the test and we know what happened with him. I also want to succeed in British football. I could have gone to Everton and other clubs but I am happy I have come to Celtic.''

Coridon also confessed the prospect of playing in the Champions League, for which Celtic have qualified automatically, was another attraction.

He added: ''Playing in the Champions League is important to me. I played there for Lens last season and it is the tournament in which every player wants to be involved.''

Coridon will not play alongside Petrov this evening after the Bulgarian internationalist twisted his ankle during the closing stages of Sunday's 2-0 win over Motherwell. It was initially feared that he might have suffered ligament damage, but Celtic's medical staff are confident he will return to first-team contention for Saturday's visit to Kilmarnock.

Like Coridon, Ross Wallace, Celtic's 19-year-old winger, is hopeful of catching O'Neill's eye this evening.

Wallace faces the unenviable task of trying to depose Alan Thompson from his berth on the left side of midfield. The player, however, revealed he has received sage advice from John Robertson, assistant manager at Parkhead and former touchline sorcerer with Scotland and Nottingham Forest.

''He was probably one of the best wingers in the world,'' Wallace said. ''He gives me encouragement and wants crosses into the box - that's your job as a winger. John Hartson and Chris Sutton, in particular, are six-foot plus and able to get on the end of them.

''Robbo's not trying to make me like him, he just wants to develop my game. Other people have told me how good he was, I've seen clips on the telly and he has told me himself. He was a class player. To win two European Cups speaks for itself.''

Wallace, who has been staying on after training sessions to work on perceived weaknesses, is prepared to wait for an opportunity to express his talent with Celtic on a regular basis. He is not concerned by the likelihood of the Parkhead club further strengthening their squad before the transfer window closes at the end of this month.

''If another player is signed for your position then you just have to work doubly hard in training,'' he said. ''I am happy to be here and I feel as if I am improving all the time. I'm only 19 and feel I have a few years left to make the breakthrough. Just now, it important to produce on any opportunity you are given.''

Tonight's opponents, meanwhile, have pulled out of talks to sign Danny Murphy, the Liverpool midfielder, because they could not guarantee him first-team football, according to Tottenham.

The England internationalist had been linked with a move to White Hart Lane after falling out of favour under the new Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez.

The Anfield club had accepted an offer of (pounds) 3m for Murphy, who had been warned by Benitez that his first-team opportunities would have been limited at Anfield this season.