Martin O'Neill will sit down with Henrik Larsson and his agent shortly to discuss a new deal that will see the Swede finish his career at Parkhead.

The Celtic manager has already held initial discussions with the striker's agent, Roy Jansen before the winter break. O'Neill expressed his desire to end all speculation surrounding Larsson's future by handing him a contract extension as quickly as possible.

The need to do business has increased with Manchester United being linked with the prolific striker this week.

Larsson's current deal expires in April 2003, but O'Neill is ready to open negotiations immediately to secure the services of the man signed for £650,000 sterling for some while longer.

The Parkhead boss said: "I am the one who initiated talks three months ago and we have had a conversation with Rob."

The team is just back from a break in Florida and talks will begin "sooner rather later", O'Neill said.

O'Neill, meanwhile, is considering whether to allow young striker Mark Burchill go on a three-month loan move to English Premiership side Everton after an approach by Everton manager Walter Smith.

O'Neill has also cleared up fears over the fitness of influential defender and stand-in skipper Johan Mjallby. The Swede's groin problem has flared up again but he will take cortisone and play through the pain barrier. "Cortisone injections are a part and parcel of football," O'Neill said.

Rangers winger Andrei Kanchelskis has promised Manchester City he will try his hardest to save them from the drop - but admits his heart remains at Ibrox. The Ukrainian begins a three-month loan spell at Maine Road on Monday still hoping for a return to the Rangers first team on its completion.

Kanchelskis, a £5.5million Advocaat signing in 1998, has been banished to the reserves since a training ground bust-up with Fernando Ricksen.