Rangers and Celtic target Portsmsouth star

By Paul Holmes
June 24 2002

Rangers and Celtic are reported to be tracking Portsmouth young star Gary O'Neil and look to offer around £3million for the midfielder.

19-year-old O'Neil was one of Portsmouth's top peformers last season pushing his way into the England Under-19's.

Having joined the club as a trainee O'Neil has made over 50 apperances for the south coast based club.

His form last season attracted the interest of several Premiership clubs including Sunderland. Both Old Firm clubs are keen to out-do each other in securing the signature of O'Neil.

Portsmouth will be keen to avoid selling one of their prized assets but with chairman Milan Mandaric keen to recoup some of the £20million he has invested in the club, the option to keep O'Neil may not exist.

Chief Executive Peter Storrie speaking to the clubs official site spoke of O'Neil's situation.

"We have received one firm offer for Gary O'Neil but it did not meet our asking price.

"Several clubs have also made enquires about Gary's availability but so far nothing definite has come from them."