Celtic players are united in their wish for manager Martin O'Neill to remain at the club in the wake of apparent interest from Leeds United.

Striker John Hartson has admitted the players are in the dark regarding the manager's thoughts on the matter, but he is hopeful that O'Neill will stay.

Midfielder Steve Guppy says there would be "uproar" among the club's support if Martin O'Neill was allowed to leave for Leeds United.

O'Neill is understood to be the English Premiership club's first choice as replacement for David O'Leary.

Hartson told the official Celtic website that he would respect O'Neill's decision if he did decide to go to Elland Road, but only reluctantly.

"The manager is his own man and he is a very private person. He'll do what he thinks is best for him and what's best for the club," said Hartson.

"He's done exceptionally well and you only have to look at what he has achieved here to see what an incredible job he has done since he took over.

"I'm sure Celtic fans wouldn't want to lose him, and neither does anyone else at the club because he's a fantastic manager."

Guppy, who was brought to Celtic Park by O'Neill after playing under him at Leicester City, believes it is vital for the Scottish champions' continued progress that they hold on to their manager.

"People say there's no one person bigger than the club and in the long run we would probably be alright but it would definitely be a big blow if he left," admitted Guppy as he returned for pre-season training.

"If he were to leave I suppose there would be an uproar and I am sure they will be doing everything they can to keep him."

Guppy added that despite the lure of returning to a more competitive league, he felt Celtic had more to offer O'Neill than Leeds.

"The Premiership is a bigger league than the Scottish League to be honest, but I think Celtic are a bigger club than Leeds because of the fan base.

"This is a big club and there is also the issue of Champions League football so that is a good pull for most players.

"A lot of hard word went in to getting that Champions League spot so I wouldn't have thought that he would walk away from that."

One player who has blossomed under O'Neill is Bobby Petta, and he is desperate for him to stay.

"He has been great for me and I just hope that he doesn't leave. It would be a big blow for me personally if he left."