THE former Dutch international striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has cleared the way for Celtic to make him their most high-profile signing of the close season while Neil Lennon is expected to stay at Parkhead despite the offer of a two-year deal with coaching incentives from Crystal Palace.

Hasselbaink, the 34-year-old Middlesbrough, has responded positively to tentative expressions of interest from the Scottish champions and has told his agent he is excited by the prospect of a return to the Champions League with Gordon Strachan's team.

The Celtic manager has identified the powerful Middlesbrough striker as an experienced replacement for John Hartson, who is in discussions with West Bromwich Albion over personal terms after Celtic accepted a cut-price bid of GBP500,000. An imminent move would give Celtic the financial flexibility to pursue Hasselbaink despite heavyweight Premiership interest.

Celtic face competition from three Premiership clubs for Hasselbaink but last night Humphry Nijmen, his agent, revealed the former Chelsea striker had been "charmed" by Celtic's interest.

"I spoke to Jimmy about the possibility when I first heard of it and he said he would be very interested, " Nijmen told The Herald. "He said they are a great club and would be charmed to play for them. At 34, he still has plenty to offer and still has ambitions at the highest level. It would not be a gamble for Celtic because he is already preparing his body for next season. He is a very dedicated and very fit professional."

The man signed by Claudio Ranieri for GBP15m from Atletico Madrid has scored 23 league goals in 48 starts at Middlesbrough but is unlikely to be a part of the Gareth Southgate regime on Teesside Celtic have been heartened by Hasselbaink's willingness to accept a drop in wages and are in a position to negotiate seriously following the removal of the retired Roy Keane from the wage bill.

Nijmen stressed the next move must be made by Peter Lawwell, the Celtic chief executive. "It is now up to Celtic but we are willing to listen. Jimmy had the chance to move to Glasgow Rangers two years ago but that didn't happen. Playing in Scottish football is not a problem for him, " said Nijmen.

"There is always a chance for Celtic because Jimmy is aware of their standing. We have interest from three English clubs, and one is really big, but Celtic have a lot of appeal."

Strachan was unperturbed yesterday when informed of Crystal Palace's claims about Lennon. The Herald understands the 34-year-old will be offered a new contract on the same terms as his existing deal.

Lennon, who earned GBP30,000 a week until a year ago, was paid about GBP20,000 a week last season. As Celtic sought to reduce their wages bill for next season, he was offered around GBP10,000 a week with bonus incentives which would have boosted his earnings back to the region of GBP20,000 a week.

Lennon rejected it and now, in light of Coca-Cola Championship side's interest and to avoid an embarrassing scenario like Jackie McNamara's exit last summer, Celtic are ready to offer him effectively a oneyear extension on his current GBP20,000-a-week salary.

After introducing Evander Sno, the former Feyenoord defender signed for GBP250,000, Strachan was indignant when informed of claims by Bob Dowie, the Palace director of football, that Lennon had been offered a player-coach contract at Selhurst Park.

"Has he? Good, " said Strachan. "I have no problem whatsoever and I am not worried about it. He [Lennon] is due back on Friday and I expect to see him then."

The managerwas more lucid on the acquisition of the brawny Sno, who shone during a loan spell with NAC Breda in the Dutch Eredivisie.

The 19-year-old's versatility was exploited at Breda but Strachan said he will challenge new signing Jiri Jarosik, Lennon and possibly Stilian Petrov for a central midfield role. "He is still young and inexperienced so we won't rush him but we are hoping to polish him up."

Celtic's last signing from Feyenoord was the GBP650,000 acquisition of Henrik Larsson and Sno has set himself lofty ambitions for the duration of his three-year contract.

"Larsson was a big player at Feyenoord who built his reputation at Celtic, " he said. "I want to be as popular and successful as he was here."