Mystery surrounds Celtic's training camp in Florida with manager Martin O'Neill's continued absence from the rest of the party.

The players flew out to America on Sunday as the former Leicester City boss continued with his family holiday at club director Dermot Desmond's retreat in Barbados.

With O'Neill's current deal due to expire at the end of the season, it had been assumed that continued contract talks were underway in the Caribbean.

O'Neill was expected to join up with his squad on Monday as they continue to recharge the batteries during the January break from SPL football.

With his future in Scotland still to be resolved, O'Neill's failure to arrive has intensified suspicion that he is ready to leave the club.

"He will not be getting here today," confirmed a Celtic spokesman on Tuesday evening.

"But he should be coming over tomorrow (Thursday). He is away on club business at the moment."

O'Neill first began contract talks back in September but has always insisted that a decision would not be reached until early in 2003.