Celtic’s Lennon Wants Keane
by Cathal Dervan
FORMER Northern Ireland captain Neil Lennon has pin-pointed Spurs and Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane as the man to replace Henrik Larsson at Parkhead next season.
With manager Martin O’Neill now resigned to losing the super Swede when his contract expires in the summer, Celtic scouts are already looking at possible replacements.
And Lennon believes they won’t have far to look. “We need an exciting striker who can fill Henrik’s boots and Robbie Keane could do just that,” Lennon told the Irish Sunday Mirror.
“He reminds me of Henrik the way he scores goals and creates goals for those around him, and I am sure he could do a job for the club.”
O’Neill, meanwhile, has midfielder Paul Lambert back to full fitness and defender Stanislav Varga on the verge of a new contract.
Varga’s current deal guarantees him a second year at the Scottish league leaders if he plays 30 games this season, a target well within his grasp after injuries to Joos Valgaeren and Johann Mjallby gave him his chance.
O’Neill said, “He has done very well. He has played consistently well and with Joos and Johan injured he has come into the side and stayed in it.
“Stan must have played some games now which would trigger that clause in his contract automatically. There would have to be an unfortunate set of circumstances for him not to get that.”
O’Neill’s team have been praised by Bayern Munich stars past and present after the two played out a scoreless draw at Parkhead last week, leaving the Celts in need of a point from Lyons next week to guarantee their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
German World Cup captain and manager Franz Beckenbauer said, “Celtic are a fabulous side. It’s no accident they made the UEFA Cup final last season. I’m impressed by their running and enthusiasm. They played outstanding football for 70 minutes, controlled the match and had the better chances. Let’s be thankful we’ve come away with a draw.”
And England midfielder Owen Hargreaves praised the Celtic faithful and their team after his first visit to Parkhead.
“It’s difficult to say if they can go all the way but they have a great team and they play to their strengths,” said the Canadian-born midfielder. “At home they are definitely a very difficult team to play and when it comes to the knock-out phases anything can happen because it’s only two games.”
“I’ve played in a lot of big games and stadiums but I’ve never witnessed fans making that much noise in 90 minutes. It was fantastic and a lovely experience.”
Celtic will be without the suspended Alan Thompson and the injured Didier Agathe for the game in Lyons which, manager O’Neill is predicting, will be a classic.
“I’d take it now, but how do you play for a draw? It’s impossible,” said O’Neill. “We’ll have to go over there and be positive and look for a goal. But we’ve given ourselves a chance of going through and it’s in our own hands going into the last game.
“This group is so tight and the match in Lyon will be an epic struggle. They’re a brilliant side on their own patch.”
Cork Star for Aussies?
CORK look set to lose newly elected ‘young hurler of the year’ and all-star winner Setanta o hAilpin to Aussie Rules. O hAilpin has been in talks with Australian side Carlton after impressing in a week long trial down under and is expected to sign a professional contract later this week.
The Cork hurler, already nicknamed Carlos Santana by his prospective new teammates, has spoken to former Carlton player and Rebels footballer Colin Corkery about the move and is expected to sign for the Melbourne club by Friday.
A Carlton club spokesman revealed, “Plans to sign a two year deal with the player are well advanced. The player has made a good impression here and we expect to do a deal before the week is out.”
Starry Night for Tyrone, Kilkenny
ALL-Ireland champions Tyrone and Kilkenny dominated the 2003 all-star awards in Dublin last Friday night.
Tyrone have no fewer than seven players on the football team after capturing the Sam Maguire for the first time in September. Armagh’s Steven McDonnell was named footballer of the year with Sean Kavanagh of Tyrone winning the young player award.
And the Kilkenny Cats took home eight all-stars from the gala dinner. Kilkenny also too the honors when the hurler of the year award went to J.J. Delaney, with Aussie Rules target Setanta O hAilpín of Cork named as young player.
The 2003 all-star teams are:
Football: Fergal Byron (Laois); Francie Bellew (Armagh), Cormac McAnallen (Tyrone), Joe Higgins (Laois); Conor Gormley (Tyrone), Tom Kelly (Laois), Philip Jordan (Tyrone); Sean Cavanagh (Tyrone), Kevin Walsh (Galway); Brian Dooher (Tyrone), Brian McGuigan (Tyrone), Declan Browne (Tipperary); Steven McDonnell (Armagh), Peter Canavan (Tyrone), Adrian Sweeney (Donegal).
Hurling: Brendan Cummins (Tipperary); Michael Kavanagh (Kilkenny), Noel Hickey (Kilkenny), Ollie Canning (Galway); Sean Og O hAilpin (Cork), Ronan Curran (Cork), J.J. Delaney (Kilkenny); Derek Lyng (Kilkenny), Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny); John Mullane (Waterford), Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny), Eddie Brennan (Kilkenny); Setanta O hAilpin (Cork), Martin Comerford (Kilkenny), Joe Deane (Cork).
Canavan’s Decision
TYRONE legend Peter Canavan has yet to make up his mind about playing on for another year after finally landing the All-Ireland medal he coveted in September.
The brilliant forward has struggled with injury of late and he admitted, “There are a number of things going through my mind. A lot will depend on factors outside my control. We’re expecting our fourth child any day now.
“There’s the injury as well. I’ve seen enough physios during the summer to last me a lifetime, so I’m going to wait until the end of the year to have it looked at again. If I felt I didn’t have the same ambition or desire that was required this year, then I wouldn’t go back just to enjoy the limelight of being part of a team defending the All-Ireland.”
Sports Shorts
YOUNG German driver Nick Heidfield has taken a wage cut to drive for Eddie Jordan next season after he was released by Sauber. The 26-year-old will begin testing in the Spanish city of Jerez this week and has agreed a one year deal provided team owner Jordan can put a budget together to finance his plans for the new season . . .
VETERAN trainer Paddy Mullins received the outstanding achievement award at the Irish Horse Racing Awards on Monday while Dermot Weld took the flat award. Meath’s Barry Geraghty was the winner in the National Hunt category and Wexford’s Padge Berry was rewarded in the point to point section . . .
SONIA O’Sullivan and Catherina McKiernan will team up for the first time in six years when they lead the Irish challenge at the European cross country championships in Edinburgh on Sunday, December 14 . . .
MUNSTER rugby legend Mick Galwey has taken up a new player-coach role with Kilkenny rugby club after years of service to Shannon.
Soccer Shorts
DERRY City are hanging on to their Premier Division life in the eircom League, but only just. A last day win away to Waterford United last Sunday means the Candystripes now face Limerick in the first leg of the promotion/relegation playoffs, with Bray Wanderers facing Finn Harps in the second semifinal. The teams play twice this weekend before next week’s decider over two legs . . .
WATERFORD United fans staged a protest in support of under fire manager Jimmy McGeough before Sunday’s home defeat at the hands of Derry. McGeough has fallen out with his board and admitted, “I want to carry on but that may have been my last game.” . . .
DUBLIN City, formerly known as Home Farm, will taste Premier Division football next season after a 1-1 draw with bray Wanderers on Saturday night was enough to secure the First Division title for John Gill’s side in his first season as manager . . .
BIRMINGHAM City boss Steve Bruce has insisted Clinton Morrison has a future with the Premiership side despite interest in the Irish striker from Mick McCarthy, who wants to take his former charge on loan at Sunderland.
GAA Shorts
VETERAN boss Mick O’Dwyer has finally admitted he would relish a return to the Kerry hotseat. The Laois boss, already a hero in his new county after winning the Leinster title this summer, told Radio Kerry, “Maybe Kerry would like to get me back someday, one never knows. Of course my services were always available from the day I left back in 1988 but nobody ever asked me to come back.” . . .
CONNACHT GAA officials are to investigate a clash between rival mentors at Sunday’s provincial club football final when Caltra of Galway beat Sligo champions Curry by three points . . .
FORMER Waterford hurler Humphrey Kelleher is the new manager of the Dublin senior hurling team in succession to Marty Morris . . .
DEFENDER John Kenny has quit the Offaly team at just 29 years of age but will work as a selector with the county’s minor team . . .
DUBLIN, Meath and Waterford will all unveil new crests next year as they look to copyright their image rights and protect their revenue from replica jerseys.
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