Celtic have rekindled their interest in Liverpool's centre back Neil Ruddock, the man cast in the role of scapegoat for the Merseyside club's recent undistinguished performances.

At a point in 29-year-old Ruddock's career when nothing is certain and anything is possible, the Scottish Premier League leaders are believed to be considering presenting him with an opportunity to leave Anfield.

Celtic coach Wim Jansen is a long-time admirer of Ruddock's combative and leadership qualities, and regards as enticing the prospect of him forging a telling central defensive partnership at Parkhead with Liverpool born Alan Stubbs. Although Ruddock only recently signed a five-year contract which nets him in excess of £10,000 a week, his manager Roy Evans, would not hesitate to sanction his sale if he was to receive a suitable bid somewhere in the region of £2.3 million.

Ruddock, who has made just one appearance for England's senior team, cost Liverpool £2.5 million when he moved from Tottenham Hotspur in July of 1993. After making somewhat less than impressive contributions to recent games against Everton at Goodison Park, and Strasbourg in France - both of which Liverpool lost - Ruddock was relegated to the substitutes' bench when Derby County visited Anfield for a Premiership fixture last weekend.

Ruddock's defensive colleague on Merseyside, the Republic of Ireland international Phil Babb, has a somewhat more certain future this morning after agreeing a new 2 1/2-year contract. Liverpool's hopes of completing the signing of the American international goalkeeper Brad Friedel next month received a set-back yesterday when Celtic's Glasgow rivals Rangers admitted an interest in the player.

Rangers, like Liverpool, have now agreed to pay £1 million to Friedel's current club, Columbus Crew. Although Friedel will require a work permit it is traditionally easier to obtain one to play in Scotland.

Scotland's top 10 clubs yesterday reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a new Premiership by next season.