CELTIC'S Swedish internationalist Henrik Larsson picked up the Player of the Year award in Glasgow last night then started his battle for fitness after

sustaining a rib injury in the 1-0 win over Motherwell.

Larsson, Johan Mjallby, and Paul

Lambert all picked up injuries, but Celtic coach Dr Jozef Venglos is hopeful the trio will be fit to face St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.

Venglos will be looking to field a full-strength side against the Saints who have already beaten his side home and away this season.

Meanwhile, Morten Wieghorst, who replaced Lambert against Motherwell, is poised to pledge his future to Celtic until 2003.

The Dane is out of contract in the summer, but his agent has already opened talks with chief executive Allan MacDonald about an extension to his current deal.

Tosh McKinlay, who is also free to leave at the end of the season, could be on his way to Motherwell. The Fir Park side's manager, Billy Davies, is an admirer of the former international left-back's style of play and is prepared to offer him a two-year deal with the Lanarkshire club.

It was a double celebration for the Old Firm as Rangers' Barry Ferguson was named Young Player of the Year.

That lifted the spirits of the midfield player, who is out for the rest of the season with a pelvic injury.

The first division player of the year is Hibs midfielder Russel Latapy, whose outstanding skill has been a major factor in their championship-winning season.

Livingston striker David Bingham picked up the award for the second division while Ross County striker Neil Tarrant, who is wanted by Aston Villa, won the third division award.

A special merit award was made to Scotland and Kilmarnock physio Hugh Allan to mark his contribution to the game over the years.

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