EG-ILL OLSEN TOO SICK FOR CELTIC
Celtic's plan to try to tempt Norwegian boss Egil Olsen to Parkhead could be scuppered - because Olsen is too ill to take the job! The Parkhead club were looking to Olsen to replace Wim Jansen, and his agent, Gunnar-Martin Kjenner, has confirmed that initial signing talks have already taken place.
But Kjenner has now confessed that Olsen has actually spent the last four years planning to retire after this summer's World Cup and confirmed that Olsen's health problems could wreck the deal. He said: He has problems with his health and it has been his plan to stand down for some time. It may not be for just one year it may be for life.
Olsen had a hip replacement in his 30s, complains of eye problems, and suffers so badly from rheumatics that he has to wear welly boots at training to stop his feet getting wet. Clearly that could be a major problem in Glasgow!
If Olsen has to turn the job down, Celtic could turn back to Scotland boss Craig Brown, as predicted on 365 yesterday.

PLATT MAN GOES JOBBING
Former England captain David Platt is favourite for the vacant manager's job at Sheffield United. The Arsenal star tops the Bramall Lane short-list and will have an interview at the club next week. He is keen to move into player-management and will jump at the chance of taking over at the Blades. If he does take the job though, it will be a huge blow to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. Although he played only a bit-part in the Gunners' Double-winning triumph, his vast experience of European football will have been a major plus in next season's Champions League campaign. Now, though, it looks like Platt could be plotting the downfall of Bury and Stockport, rather than Barcelona and Juventus.

IS THOMPSON WANDERING TO VILLA OR LEEDS?
Aston Villa boss John Gregory is planning to snatch Bolton midfielder Alan Thompson from under the nose of George Graham. The 24-year-old was widely expected to sign for Leeds this week, but now the Villa boss has stepped into the picture. He is planning talks with Thompson this week in a bid to lure him to the Midlands.

TOUGH KNUT ON HIS WAY TO SPURS
Spurs boss Christian Gross is poised to make his first signing of the summer - Borussia Dortmund defender Knut Reinhardt. The 29-year-old left back was in Dortmund's squad which won the European Cup final against Juventus last year and he will move to White Hart Lane on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling. So that should keep Alan Sugar happy as well, then!

ALBION IN MAC ATTACK
West Brom have entered the race for former Manchester United ace Brian McClair. 365 told you yesterday that McClair was a target for Motherwell, the club which kick-started his career after he had initially been freed by Aston Villa. But now the Baggies are poised to try to tempt him back to the Midlands and that may well prove a more attractive proposition than getting his arse kicked by Rangers or Celtic every third week!

BLACKBURN BLOCKED IN CLARK BID
Sunderland boss Peter Reid has told Blackburn to forget any hope of signing Lee Clark. Rovers were alerted to the possibility of stealing Clark after Sunderland failed to win promotion from the First Division, losing in a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out to Charlton in the play-off final at Wembley.
But Reid is planning to strengthen his squad for next season's campaign rather than rip it apart, and Clark, who signed a four-year deal when he moved from Newcastle to the Stadium of Light for £2.5million last summer, is a vital piece in his jigsaw. Lee Clark is staying at this club, said Reid. He is enjoying his football here and has been fantastic for us. Like everyone, he was devastated when we didn't go up. Lee wants Premiership football, but is satisfied with the direction that the club is going.

GREEK TRAGEDY FOR YORYADIS
Newcastle new boy Yorgos Yoryadis has gone into hiding back home in Greece to escape Panathanaikos fans' fury at his £500,000 move to England. He used an escape clause in his contract to move to St James' Park and not even his family and friends knew about the deal until it was completed on Wednesday. Fans plastered the walls of his home with graffiti and lay in wait for him to return which, not surprisingly, he never did. And the Newcastle board thought they were having a tough time!