Post by Taxigirl on Nov 23, 2005 9:16:59 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/4459066.stm
Confirmed interest: Man City, Portsmouth, West Brom, Wigan
On the fence: Bolton, Celtic
Not interested: Juventus, Birmingham, Tottenham, Roma
Celtic captain Neil Lennon says he would welcome the challenge of potential new signing Roy Keane.
Lennon and Keane are both 34 but the Bhoys midfielder insists he would not feel threatened by the arrival of the former Manchester United skipper.
"If Roy does come, it will be great," Lennon told the Glasgow Evening Times. "If he doesn't, we carry on regardless.
"Anyone who wants my place will have to play really, really well because I'm not giving it up easily."
Lennon's club colleague John Hartson has also expressed his admiration for Keane and says it is the general consensus in the Parkhead dressing room.
"Roy Keane is a world class player," he said. "We have all played against him and we all hold him in the highest regard as a player and a person.
"He is one of the best there has ever been. I know Ryan Giggs very well and he speaks very highly of Roy."
But Keane's agent has denied claiming he expects to receive an approach from Celtic for the Irishman's services.
It was reported in the Scottish Sun that Michael Kennedy said he anticipated a call from Celtic, who have been heavily linked with Keane.
Kennedy was also quoted as saying Keane might not want to drop his wages too far below the reported £90,000 a week he received at Manchester United.
However, Kennedy told BBC Sport on Tuesday he had not made such claims.
"Roy is not yet prepared to accept he'll have to compromise," Michael Kennedy was alleged to have said.
"There has been a lot of interest in him and he has a lot to consider. Celtic have not stepped up their interest but we are expecting a call."
Keane has stated in the past that he would like to end his career at Celtic, and the Bhoys were quick to express an interest after the midfielder's shock exit from United on Friday.
However, Celtic have already said they cannot match the wages he received at Old Trafford.
"That's a sum that's out of the question for us," Celtic chairman Brian Quinn told BBC Five Live on Sunday.
But speaking on Tuesday, Kennedy added: "I heard what Quinn said - but we'll see what happens."
Keane has several weeks in which to consider his future as he is not eligible to join another club until the transfer window opens on 1 January.
A host of clubs have been linked with him, with many in the Premiership confirming their interest.
However, it appears he will be staying in Britain after the two Italian clubs to be linked, Juventus and Roma, each said they would not be in the market for the Irishman.
Confirmed interest: Man City, Portsmouth, West Brom, Wigan
On the fence: Bolton, Celtic
Not interested: Juventus, Birmingham, Tottenham, Roma
Celtic captain Neil Lennon says he would welcome the challenge of potential new signing Roy Keane.
Lennon and Keane are both 34 but the Bhoys midfielder insists he would not feel threatened by the arrival of the former Manchester United skipper.
"If Roy does come, it will be great," Lennon told the Glasgow Evening Times. "If he doesn't, we carry on regardless.
"Anyone who wants my place will have to play really, really well because I'm not giving it up easily."
Lennon's club colleague John Hartson has also expressed his admiration for Keane and says it is the general consensus in the Parkhead dressing room.
"Roy Keane is a world class player," he said. "We have all played against him and we all hold him in the highest regard as a player and a person.
"He is one of the best there has ever been. I know Ryan Giggs very well and he speaks very highly of Roy."
But Keane's agent has denied claiming he expects to receive an approach from Celtic for the Irishman's services.
It was reported in the Scottish Sun that Michael Kennedy said he anticipated a call from Celtic, who have been heavily linked with Keane.
Kennedy was also quoted as saying Keane might not want to drop his wages too far below the reported £90,000 a week he received at Manchester United.
However, Kennedy told BBC Sport on Tuesday he had not made such claims.
"Roy is not yet prepared to accept he'll have to compromise," Michael Kennedy was alleged to have said.
"There has been a lot of interest in him and he has a lot to consider. Celtic have not stepped up their interest but we are expecting a call."
Keane has stated in the past that he would like to end his career at Celtic, and the Bhoys were quick to express an interest after the midfielder's shock exit from United on Friday.
However, Celtic have already said they cannot match the wages he received at Old Trafford.
"That's a sum that's out of the question for us," Celtic chairman Brian Quinn told BBC Five Live on Sunday.
But speaking on Tuesday, Kennedy added: "I heard what Quinn said - but we'll see what happens."
Keane has several weeks in which to consider his future as he is not eligible to join another club until the transfer window opens on 1 January.
A host of clubs have been linked with him, with many in the Premiership confirming their interest.
However, it appears he will be staying in Britain after the two Italian clubs to be linked, Juventus and Roma, each said they would not be in the market for the Irishman.