Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon said yesterday he will continue to play for Northern Ireland despite suffering sectarian abuse from a section of his own team's supporters during a recent friendly match in Belfast.

"Following lengthy consideration, I have decided that I wish to continue to play at international level with Northern Ireland," said Lennon.

"The level of support I have received from all sections of the community has been overwhelming and very touching and has played a major part in my decision."

Lennon, who has won 36 caps during a seven-year international career, was heckled and jeered with anti-Catholic slogans by a number of supporters during Northern Ireland's dismal 4-0 defeat by Norway at Windsor Park last week before he was replaced by manager Sammy McIlroy at half-time.

Due to an agreement between McIlroy and Lennon's club manager Martin O'Neill, Lennon's participation was restricted to the first 45 minutes. He was not taken off because of the abuse although he did leave the ground before the match had finished because of the way he had been treated.

The incident was brought to a close when he announced in an interview on his club's official website yesterday he would continue to be available for McIlroy.

He also admitted he had taken considerable time over the decision for the sake of his family and friends.

"The decision I have made was not taken lightly as I felt it was important to consider the feelings of my family and friends as they had been through a very traumatic experience. Obviously I hope that they and myself do not have to suffer under these circumstances again.

"I am proud to be a Celtic player and I am enjoying my time at the club very much. I hope that in the future I will be given the opportunity, as a Celtic player, to also enjoy my international career."

O'Neill looks set to follow the example of Rangers counterpart Dick Advocaat by signing a new striker before the transfer deadline day. The Dutchman yesterday signed Marcus Gayle from Wimbledon for £900,000 as he fights crippling injury problems.

Celtic are without £6 million striker Chris Sutton and the need for back-up has become apparent as they continue in their quest for the domestic treble. O'Neill must sign a player on-loan next week while the transfer deadline day falls at the end of the month.

The Celtic boss insists defeat to Hearts in the Scottish Cup tomorrow would not be the end of the world. Celtic are currently 13 points clear in the league and in the final of the League Cup.

But O'Neill is firm in his belief that the championship remains their ultimate goal. "We've now led the league for quite some time and for us that is the be-all and end-all.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa have rejected a move from Rangers to sign out-of-favour winger David Ginola on loan until the end of the season. Advocaat was looking to Ginola as Rangers are without four left-sided players. Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Arthur Numan, Jorg Albertz and Neil McCann are all on the casualty list at Ibrox.

The date of the final Old Firm game of the Scottish Premier League season has been put back a week because of a clash with World Cup qualifiers.

Scottish Premier League chief executive Roger Mitchell criticised world football's governing body FIFA for forcing the move, which follows the Dutch FA being granted permission to play a qualifier on a date set aside for friendlies only.

As a result, Celtic will now travel to Rangers on Sunday April 29th (1 p.m.) instead of Sunday April 22nd.