Post by Taxigirl on Dec 15, 2005 9:07:40 GMT
www.sportinglife.com/football/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/05/12/15/SOCCER_Celtic_Keane.html
The lure of playing in front of a passionate Parkhead crowd may have persuaded Roy Keane to join Celtic.
Hoops supporters are desperately waiting on confirmation of the capture of the 34-year-old, who left Manchester United last month.
The Glasgow giants were offering no indication over whether the midfielder would be linking up with them in the coming days throughout Wednesday.
But Celtic Park appears to be the next destination for Keane after 12 years with United following stints at Nottingham Forest and Cobh Ramblers in his native Ireland.
Keane's contract with the Old Trafford club was terminated by mutual consent last month in the wake of reported criticism of some team-mates in an interview which was withdrawn before broadcast by MUTV.
The Irishman grew up as a Tottenham supporter, with Glenn Hoddle his favourite player, but he has never hidden his desire to play for Celtic.
He has been seen regularly among Hoops fans at games, preferring to sit with the supporters rather than the more obvious comfort of the directors' box.
Predictable Keane was immediately linked with a move to Parkhead after his United exit. Indeed, Celtic invited the player to make contact after his departure was confirmed.
A club statement said at the time: "Roy Keane was a magnificent player and servant for Manchester United but he also knows all about Celtic.
"If at any time Roy would like to speak to us about his future and Celtic's, we would be only too happy to speak to him, but as yet there have been no discussions."
Celtic emerged as strong favourites to sign Keane when Real Madrid cooled their interest. Everton, Bolton, West Brom, Portsmouth and West Ham all expressed an interest in signing the fiery midfielder.
But Keane was adamant he would not play against United in the future after his sterling service at Old Trafford.
Parkhead chairman Brian Quinn has expressed his concern about Keane's wages, believed to have been £90,000 a week at Old Trafford, claiming such figures were "out of the question" for Celtic.
However, further speculation suggests majority shareholder Dermot Desmond could finance the deal.
Should Keane sign for Celtic, he would not be allowed to make his debut until the New Year's Day trip to Hearts.
The lure of playing in front of a passionate Parkhead crowd may have persuaded Roy Keane to join Celtic.
Hoops supporters are desperately waiting on confirmation of the capture of the 34-year-old, who left Manchester United last month.
The Glasgow giants were offering no indication over whether the midfielder would be linking up with them in the coming days throughout Wednesday.
But Celtic Park appears to be the next destination for Keane after 12 years with United following stints at Nottingham Forest and Cobh Ramblers in his native Ireland.
Keane's contract with the Old Trafford club was terminated by mutual consent last month in the wake of reported criticism of some team-mates in an interview which was withdrawn before broadcast by MUTV.
The Irishman grew up as a Tottenham supporter, with Glenn Hoddle his favourite player, but he has never hidden his desire to play for Celtic.
He has been seen regularly among Hoops fans at games, preferring to sit with the supporters rather than the more obvious comfort of the directors' box.
Predictable Keane was immediately linked with a move to Parkhead after his United exit. Indeed, Celtic invited the player to make contact after his departure was confirmed.
A club statement said at the time: "Roy Keane was a magnificent player and servant for Manchester United but he also knows all about Celtic.
"If at any time Roy would like to speak to us about his future and Celtic's, we would be only too happy to speak to him, but as yet there have been no discussions."
Celtic emerged as strong favourites to sign Keane when Real Madrid cooled their interest. Everton, Bolton, West Brom, Portsmouth and West Ham all expressed an interest in signing the fiery midfielder.
But Keane was adamant he would not play against United in the future after his sterling service at Old Trafford.
Parkhead chairman Brian Quinn has expressed his concern about Keane's wages, believed to have been £90,000 a week at Old Trafford, claiming such figures were "out of the question" for Celtic.
However, further speculation suggests majority shareholder Dermot Desmond could finance the deal.
Should Keane sign for Celtic, he would not be allowed to make his debut until the New Year's Day trip to Hearts.