CHELSEA have appointed Dutch midfielder Ruud Gullit as the club's new player manager in succession to Glenn Hoddle.

Gullit's playing contract will be extended to June, 1998, and he is set to become one of the country's first Continental style coaches.

While managing director Colin Hutchinson takes control of financial matters for signings and contracts, Gullit will concentrate purely on the playing side.

Hutchinson explained: "I had a chat with Ruud last Sunday briefly and then had another half hour - with, him after the tremendous reception he received after last Sunday's match.

"We went through things with him and then I gave him until today to sort it all out.

"When I knew Glenn was leaving, Ruud was one of the people we immediately thought of and it was a unanimous decision by the board to offer it to him.

"We were concerned that his playing form didn't drop when he takes charge so we have also named Gwyn Williams to help with things like administration at the training ground."

Gullit is back in Holland with his family for the weekend but is expected back at Chelsea for an official news conference.

Meanwhile, Tommy Burns sent out a statement of intent across Glasgow yesterday as he broke Celtic's transfer record for the third time to land Alan Stubbs.

Burns swooped to sign Bolton defender Stubbs in the kind of audacious transfer coup that will leave rivals Rangers green with envy and Arsenal red faced.

A £3.5 million fee was splashed out to bring the 24 year old Englishman to Parkhead and the deal is worth around £5.5 million when terms in a five year contract are included.