Scotland midfielder Paul Lambert today quashed speculation that he is on the verge of quitting Celtic for the English Premiership. Lambert was believed to be one of half a dozen Parkhead players unsettled by the recent row with the club's management over bonus payments.

Aston Villa were reported to be ready to step in with a £4 million offer for the 28-year-old, who won a Champions' League winners' medal with Borussia Dortmund during a successful stint in Germany.

But Lambert, preparing with the Scotland squad for Saturday's Euro 2000 qualifier in Lithuania, today insisted he has no desire to leave Celtic, provided the Scottish champions want to keep him.

"I have said before that I won't move unless the club want me to go, and from my own point of view I won't be going anywhere," he told BBC Radio Scotland.