Berbatov admits transfer talk has led to a dip in his Spurs form

Though there were signs of his match-winning brilliance in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Manchester United, the Tottenham striker freely conceded he had become distracted and preoccupied by persistent claims of an imminent move to Old Trafford.

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Northern Ireland keeper Maik Taylor and skipper Aaron Hughes both hailed him as the best there is, ahead of their meeting with Bulgaria at Windsor Park tonight, but he insisted he had been held back by the unsettling effect of a story that refuses to go away.

United have been sounding out clubs interested in signing Louis Saha, in a development that will cause further consternation at White Hart Lane.

A combination of £70,000-a-week wages and a suspect fitness record may have deterred would-be buyers so far, but it is being seen as a clear indication that Sir Alex Ferguson is trying to clear the way for Berbatov's arrival in the summer.

While the Berbatov camp may not exactly have gone all out to suppress the United links, the former Bayer Leverkusen front-runner is adamant his mental state has suffered as a consequence.

Asked whether the transfer might still go through at the end of the season, he shrugged and said: "Who knows what the future will bring? I am just glad the window has shut, so I can at last put all my thoughts into doing my best for Tottenham.

"All this constant rumour and speculation can mess with your mind and have an adverse effect on your game. You could say I should be used to it by now, but it doesn't get any easier. My head has not always been right.

"It was flattering to hear Maik Taylor describe me as the best striker in the Premier League, but I'm not sure I'd go along with that. It was a great compliment, but, to my mind, there are areas for improvement. In all aspects of my game, I feel I can get better.

"If anything it has been getting more difficult for me, because opponents are getting to know my ways. When you first arrive in a new country, you can take defenders by surprise, but only for so long. They know what to look out for now, and that is another reason why I'm not sure you are always seeing the best of me.

"There is still a lot of work to be done, if I am to reach the level I want to be at and achieve the goals I am aiming for. Now all the uncertainty is over - for the time being, at least - perhaps I can concentrate on getting back to my best."

Hughes will have the thankless task of trying to contain the Berbatov threat, with Motherwell centre-back Stephen Craigan flying into Belfast this morning, after his club game was postponed, and earmarked for a run-out in the second half.

"Whoever gets the job will be up against a striker who is as good as any around," said the Fulham defender. "People are talking about an awful lot of money to try and prise him away from White Hart Lane, and that tells you what an outstanding talent he is."

Nigel Worthington prepared for his first appearance since signing a new two-year contract by saluting the spirit in his squad.

"David Healy didn't even make the 16 for Fulham at the weekend but turned up here with a huge smile on his face,"' said the Northern Ireland manager. "It was great to see and underlined what playing for their country means to these boys."

Northern Ireland (4-4-2): Taylor; McAuley, Evans, Hughes, McCarthy; Gillespie, Clingan, Johnson, Brunt; Healy, Lafferty.