OLD FIRM rivals Rangers and Celtic are eyeing Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips.

Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy is bracing himself for the loss of the talismanic Phillips as the impact of relegation forces him to cash in on his prize assets.

A move to Rangers or Celtic, with the promise of Champions League football next season, would prove an attractive alternative for Phillips to joining a Premiership club.

Tottenham are long-standing admirers of the 29-year-old England international and Middlesbrough have also been credited with an interest, though manager Steve McClaren has labelled the link as "pure speculation''.

Everton are understood to be keen to lure Chris Sutton away from Celtic in a £3m deal, which could pave the way for £5m-rated Phillips to head for Glasgow.

But Rangers, battling with their bitter enemies for the Scottish title, are also keeping tabs on Phillips.

Sunderland centre-back Emerson Thome has been linked with a move to Ibrox, where skipper Lorenzo Amoruso - a target for the Black Cats in Peter Reid's time - is rumoured to be lined up for a switch to Blackburn.

Brazilian Thome, Sunderland's record buy when he arrived from Chelsea for £4.5m in September 2000, has a season left on his contract but has been made available on a free transfer.

Meanwhile, Sunderland goalkeeper Mart Poom insists he has no plans to quit the club despite the drop into Division One.

With the Wearsiders over £26m in debt, there has been talk of the Estonian being sacrificed in a cut-price deal.

But having only moved from Derby County in January, when Howard Wilkinson signed him in a £2.5m deal, Poom maintains he is happy to stay at the Stadium of Light. He said: "The financial problems that result from relegation you can't take lightly, and it affects even big clubs like Sunderland.

"Lots of clubs see it as a big problem and it means a lot of players leaving.

"But I am going to stay. I have already played half a season in the First Division with Derby. I am ambitious to play in the Premier League, but I have signed a contract with Sunderland and I want to see it through.''

Poom has been linked with Manchester United, and admits a move to Old Trafford would be "a dream''. He added: "Everton were interested as well, but there is no point having regrets and I am committed to Sunderland.

"I want to stay and I am looking forward to next season, playing well and getting promotion.''

Poom believes the pressure to succeed in the Premiership is the reason why Sunderland have got through three managers this season.

"It is hard for me to say with Peter Reid because I wasn't here under him, but it has been a very difficult two years for the club,'' said Poom.

"With Howard Wilkinson, it shows the pressures of management. It was the same at Derby. We had three managers in one season.'' But Poom reckons Sunderland have the right man in McCarthy to take them back up at the first attempt. "I think that he is still young but has quite a lot of experience,'' said Poom. "He is an honest man with good man-management skills, which you need.''

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