Celtic sign trio on deadline day

Hartson arrives at Parkhead for talks with Celtic

John Hartson, Steve Guppy and Momo Sylla have completed their moves to Celtic.

But there is no word yet about whether the Scottish club have been able to register the trio in time to beat Thursday's Champions League signing deadline.

Hartson joins from Coventry City for a fee of about £6m, Guppy from Leicester City for around £700,000 and Sylla from St Johnstone for a similar amount.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill said: "Our season is just one game old and I am confident that all three will play important roles in the coming months.

"Having lost a number of players during the summer, it was essential to bring the squad back to last season's strength and I still hope to add to its depth in the coming weeks."

About-turn

Celtic fans will be relieved to know that Hartson passed a medical.

Momo Sylla celebrates a Saints goal

It was the Welsh international's failure to do so that prevented his transfer to Rangers last season and prompted Coventry to place him on a pay-for-play contract.

The move to the Scottish champions represents a swift about-turn by Hartson, who only two weeks ago signed a new contract with Coventry.

He was also handed the club captaincy, but Celtic's renewed interest has tempted the 26-year-old away.

Goalkeeper Magnus Hedman had also appeared to be heading to Celtic Park as part of the deal, but nothing has come of that proposal.

Celtic did manage to capture Hartson on a four-year deal, beat Coventry to the signature of Guppy with a three-year offer and gave Sylla a five-year contract.

About to leave

Guppy is a former England international, the 32-year-old having been taken to Filbert Street from Port Vale by present Celtic manager Martin O'Neill.

Steve Guppy is a talented winger

Leicester manager Peter Taylor had earlier confirmed: "We have agreed the fee with Celtic and the player has flown up to Scotland to complete the deal.

"Steve is an excellent professional, a fine crosser of the ball and I wish him all the best with his new club."

Sylla was impressive for St Johnstone on Saturday, despite the Perth side's 3-0 opening-day defeat at Celtic Park.

The 24-year-old from the Ivory Coast was originally employed as a full-back at McDiarmid Park but later moved into midfield and was up front for Saints on Saturday.

One player who may be about to leave Celtic Park is Scotland Under-21 striker Mark Burchill.

Burchill was on loan to Birmingham City and Ipswich Town last season and Portsmouth are now in negotiations designed to take the player to Fratton Park in a £1.25m deal.