Welsh Forwards Grab Hat-Tricks

John Toshack would have been pleased to see two of his strikers come through this weekend’s fixtures unscathed and in a vein of goal scoring form as both Craig Bellamy and Rob Earnshaw helped themselves to hat-tricks for their respective clubs.

Martin O’Neill will be hoping that his club’s board will find the money to keep Bellamy at Celtic after the player’s loan deal expires in May, with Newcastle looking to offload the disruptive Welshman for around £5m.

Speaking after seeing Bellamy lead his side to victory today O’Neill said: "His goals were outstanding.

"I am sure he will not be short of offers at the end of the season, but we'll just have to find the money."

Bellamy meanwhile, reiterated his desire to stay in Scotland after May and is still desperate to prove he is worthy to be at the Scottish champions with the forthcoming Old Firm derby not coming soon enough for Bellamy.

"I am desperate, especially after the let-down from the first game," he said.

"I want to make a mark in Scotland and people say you get judged on Old Firm games, so you will have to watch me in the Ibrox game.

"I don't want to be going back down south and Celtic saying 'Thank God for that'.

"I want to make a really big impression. To play in front of these fans is special."

Meanwhile in London, former Cardiff City striker Earnshaw helped his side West Brom in their relegation battle as they defeated Charlton Athletic 4-1 after his introduction just after the hour.

Earnshaw grabbed his 17-minute hat-trick on the stroke of full-time with no mistakes from the penalty spot after Richard Chaplow was felled in the box.