Wright lined up as Larsson's Celtic stand-in

Celtic are believed to have targeted the former England international striker Ian Wright as a possible replacement for the injured Henrik Larsson.

Celtic are believed to have targeted the former England international striker Ian Wright as a possible replacement for the injured Henrik Larsson.

Wright, who joined West Ham United from Arsenal last season, is currently on loan with Nottingham Forest but is due to return to Upton Park at the end of this week.

Jerome Anderson, Wright's agent, confirmed the link and revealed that talks regarding a move are anticipated before the weekend. "Progress is being made and we would hope to have discussions with Celtic later this week," Anderson said. "We will see what happens over the next 48 hours."

Wright has already made it clear he intends to retire at the end of the current campaign, but with Larsson, who sustained a double fracture of his left leg last week, expected to be fit again by August, the move could be ideal for both Wright and Celtic.

The Queen has expressed her disappointment that the Euro 2000 play-off between England and Scotland will mean that only one team can progress to the finals. She made her comments at Buckingham Palace to the Scotland manager, Craig Brown, who was there to receive a CBE.

Brown said of the ceremony: "I was more nervous than I will be at Wembley. I'm not used to this."

Scotland are scheduled to meet England on 13 November at Hampden Park, with the return leg four days later at Wembley. "I think it's widely accepted that England have the advantage being at home for the second leg," Brown said. "They will know what they have to do and if it goes to penalties, they will be taking them in front of home supporters."

The 59-year-old Brown, who chose morning dress rather than a kilt for the investiture, said he was "flabbergasted" to receive the CBE.

"It's very reassuring," he said. "The taxi driver this morning called me Sir Alex - but I told him Alex Ferguson is the one with the blotchy face."

Also present at the Palace yesterday was the former Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City striker Garth Crooks, who received an OBE for services to the Institute of Professional Sport.

"I have two FA Cup winners' medals and a Uefa Cup medal," Crooks said. "I've never been one for trinkets - the medals are in a museum at the Professional Footballers' Association. But this one - the OBE - is special. I'll keep this one."

The Kilmarnock manager, Bobby Williamson, has called for a return to the old two-points-for-a-win system in the Scottish Premier League. Williamson believes there are too few clubs in the League for the present three-points system to work.

Williamson takes his side to Tynecastle tonight for a match against Hearts, and is hoping his side can climb the table after successive draws against Aberdeen and Rangers.

"This league is too tight a league for three points to be given for a win," Williamson said. "Two points instead should be awarded in a league of this size. It would make for a fairer competition.

"We are an attacking team but the onus is on us to try and get victories away from home. We had to go for a win at Aberdeen on Saturday because we wanted the three points. One point was not enough in my book.

"But it has always been my opinion that we need more than 10 teams in the League. I know others share my views."

The Scottish Premier League is being expanded to 12 teams next season and there will be no automatic relegation from the top flight next May. However, teams could be relegated if they lose a play-off.

Kilmarnock are currently third from bottom. Williamson is set to field an unchanged side against Hearts, who will rise to third place if they win.