'Sons Of The Rock' Eliminated By The Bhoys

Livingston Awaits Celtic In Their Quest For A Double (Or Treble...)

Steven Pressley says he has no problems playing under the captaincy of Neil Lennon, despite wearing the armband with Hearts. Pressley said: "I was captain for a long time, but it's not difficult to go back to being just another player. A guy like Neil Lennon doesn't just lead by example on a Saturday; he leads every day of the week. Lennon has been a terrific captain for this club - he demands high standards. So it's not an issue for me, and I still talk in the same manner on the park."

Dunfermline have signed Celtic forward Jim O'Brien on loan until the end of the season. Celtic reserve coach Kenny McDowall is backing O'Brien to do well for the Fife club. "This is a great opportunity for Jim and it will give him the chance to get first team experience this season," McDowall told Celtic's website. "Out of all the lads, Jim has perhaps impressed me the most this season and it is an indicator of how well he has done that there have been a few clubs inquiring about his availability on a loan basis. He is well-equipped for first team football and I am expecting him to handle it well."

Helsingborg coach Stuart Baxter has indicated he may be prepared to extend Henrik Larsson's loan deal at Man Utd beyond March. Baxter said: "While it is very early to speculate, it could happen. We are in a world where we are not really able to force Henrik back. There would be a discussion between Henrik and the club but he has given us no indication this is any more than the agreement we have." Baxter continued: "The attraction of Manchester United was a short-term deal. If that has changed where an extension would mean extra finance for the club that's very nice but we have still got to try to make a team."

Goalkeeper David Marshall is reportedly a target for Norwich. The 21-year-old Marshall burst onto the scene with some impressive displays in Europe for Celtic, notably against Barcelona, and also won international honors for Scotland. The signing of Artur Boruc however has seen him play just seven times in the last two seasons.

Gordon Strachan has confirmed that Celtic have already made offers to bring two players to the club this month, "We have bid for a couple of players. We are trying to bring new faces in. We have been planning this for a long time." He said. He also confirmed that the total number of new arrivals might depend on who will leave the club this month.

Frederic Piquionne remains a St Etienne player for the time being. Celtic and a number of EPL clubs are keen on the striker, who has scored six times so far this season, with French champions Lyon also in the frame. Bernard Caiazzo, co-president of St Etienne, told club website: "We have received an offer of 5.5m euros from Lyon, which for the best attacker in the league is pretty ridiculous."

Young Celtic striker Diarmuid O'Carroll will follow in the footsteps of team-mates Michael Gardyne and Gary Irvine by going on loan to Ross County for the remainder of this season. The Irish Under 21 internationalist will join Scott Leitch's men until the end of the campaign in a bid to gain experience after two years of reserve team football. O'Carroll is now the seventh young Celt to go on loan this season, with Paul McGowan currently at Morton, Jim O'Brien at Dunfermline and Paul Lawson and Michael McGovern both having recently returned to Parkhead from St Johnstone.