PAUL A GRAVE DIGGER

THE arrival of Paul Hartley could signal the end of Thomas Gravesen's short stay at Celtic.

The Danish midfielder has not lived up to the hype that followed his £2million move from Real Madrid in August in a deal that has reportedly made him the highest paid player in Parkhead history.

His failure to follow simple tactical instructions from Gordon Strachan - the most obvious being in the 3-1 defeat at FC Copenhagen in the Champions League when he too often abandoned his role on the right to help protect Mark Wilson behind him - have left many bewildered.

Gravesen has scored goals in both games against Rangers this season but that's only helped gloss over his shortcomings.

As an attacking midfielder he is not a patch on Stilian Petrov, Craig Burley or Hartley. And he does not have the discipline or desire to sit deeper and create a block in front of the backline.

Several of his team-mates have not been happy with his contribution either and it would be no surprise if Gravesen moved on in the summer. In fact, it would probably be welcomed. The balance in the Celtic midfield has not been the same since Petrov left but a partnership of Hartley and Neil Lennon should help rectify that.

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Sometimes hands have to be held up and there has to be an admission at the club that the whole ambitious episode was an expensive mistake.

Gravesen's wages can be put to much better use on new players in the next transfer window.

And just after the end of season title celebrations is the perfect time to punt him. Don't wait until there are one or two dodgy results and the microscope starts to zoom in.

Former Everton man Gravesen still enjoys a fine reputation in England and with the wealth the Premiership clubs have, attractive offers would be put to him.

Hartley can fill the role the Dane was supposed to.

Strachan beat off Rangers to prise the midfielder from Hearts for £1.2million in a last-gasp deadline day deal.

New Hoops stopper Steven Pressley knows his former Tynecastle team-mate better than any player in the dressing-room - and he reckons the Scotland midfielder will be a star.

Pressley said: "Paul's arrival is great business. For the last two or three years his performances have been at a really high level and he has matured in to an exceptional midfield player who hopefully this club will benefit greatly from.

"He has many assets. The timing of his runs into the box and getting beyond the front players is good and he's also a very accomplished passer.

"He has demonstrated that many times for Hearts and in a couple of games for Scotland when he was asked to play a more sitting role. There are many strings to his bow and he'll add a great deal to the team.

"Paul has possibly been a late developer. He has always had good attributes but putting them all together has come slightly later.

"He has finally arrived at a place where he deserves to play.

"Paul also has the ability to take a good free-kick from in and around the opposition area and when you consider we also have Shunsuke Nakamura and Aiden McGeady able to do that you might see them fighting for the ball!

"In today's game set pieces are so important. To have good dead-ball takers in your team is vital.

"Paul is desperate to get started and this is the place he wanted to come to because he has been a Celtic supporter all his life."

Hartley has waited for more than two years to get to Parkhead.

Martin O'Neill tried to sign him in January, 2005 then Gordon Strachan wanted him from his arrival at Celtic six months later. It looked more likely Hartley was going to Rangers last month.

Former Scotland boss Walter Smith and Ally McCoist made it clear they wanted him. And international team-mates Barry Ferguson and Kris Boyd were also desperate to see him join them at Ibrox.

But they were gutted not to land the 30-year-old former Hibs and St Johnstone man, especially as they lost out to Celtic in the race for his signature.

Hartley is happy his Tynecastle turmoil is behind him.

And he hopes to start this afternoon for the Hoops away to Livingston in the Scottish Cup clash.

He said: "I hope I have impressed enough in training to be picked against Livingston. I'm looking forward to running out as a Celtic player for the first time.

"It's a good squad and the competition for places is fierce. It won't be easy to get a game in midfield.

"I'm hungry for success and want more silverware after helping Hearts win the Scottish Cup last season. I will work hard and hopefully my new-team-mates and the Celtic fans will like me."

Taken from the Sunday Mail