Keane wraps up ‘dream’ Celtic switch
ROBBIE KEANE last night completed his move to boyhood heroes Celtic in the headline deal of an otherwise subdued deadline day for the big clubs.
The Tottenham skipper was given permission to talk to the Bhoys by boss Harry Redknapp before agreeing to a loan deal until the end of the season.
The Republic of Ireland international, 29, has been frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities in recent weeks and feared for his future at White Hart Lane after Redknapp secured the loan signing of Eidur Gudjohnsen from Barcelona.
Keane was unveiled to a large congregation of fans outside Celtic Park last night just an hour before the Scottish deadline closed at midnight.
“It’s a good move,” Redknapp said. “Robbie needs to play. He’s too good a player not to be starting here regularly. He wants to play all the time.
“It’s been difficult to guarantee Robbie a starting place at the moment. He’s not a happy man when he’s not playing regularly. But he loves his football; he’s a great trainer, a great man about the place.”
Redknapp, who also loaned out right backs Alan Hutton and Kyle Naughton to Sunderland and Middlesbrough respectively, believes Keane will relish the challenge of playing for his boyhood club.
“To go to Celtic is a dream come true for him anyway. I think it’s a move that appeals to him. He’s a big Celtic man and he’d like to go up to Celtic and play like Roy Keane did.
“The Irish lads, it’s in their blood and they dream of playing for Celtic one day. This opportunity is one they want to take and we don’t want to stand in his way, because we’re strong in that position.”
The only other top six club active on deadline day was Manchester City, who completed the £7m signing of Middlesbrough’s Adam Johnson just minutes before the 5pm cut-off point.
Johnson, 22, signed a four-and-a-half year deal and boss Roberto Mancini said: “Adam is a very good player with fantastic potential, and as a club, we are always keen to sign British talent.”
A deal to bring in Parma’s McDonald Mariga collapsed, however, after the Kenyan failed to secure a work permit.