February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
At least that was the case when Craig Bellamy’s recent arrival from Newcastle saw the departure of Juninho. That’s one gone for sure, but will he be missed? Hardly. The midfielder rarely got a game under Martin O’Neill. The 32-year-old player looks set to join Brazilian club Palmeiras. Now the ins and the outs (mostly outs) for Juninho at Celtic are really neither here nor there. The whole affair was a flop; it happens in football. However, it’s one of the few signings that hasn’t worked out for O’Neill.
It does seem, however, that Bellamy is looking a good fit for the Hoops. But will the speedy Welsh forward stay on at Parkhead? They all want him in Glasgow, from O’Neill himself to the players, but especially the fans. Even the difficult Bellamy himself has admitted he has settled down nicely during his loan period at Celtic. The whole affair sounds like a marriage, but it’s the money that will do the talking when it comes to Bellamy’s contract. Bottom line: if Celtic is unable to meet the financial demands of paying Bellamy, he is contracted to go back to Newcastle unless another club come in for him. And that has apparently already happened.
Bellamy’s fellow countryman and Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has come a knocking on the door of Parkhead making inquiries about the feisty forward. “He is a player I obviously know well from my time as Wales manager,” Hughes said.
The interest will surely heighten should Blackburn stay up in the premier league. A league where Bellamy has also admitted he wants to return. And it sure looks like the Rovers are staying up after beating Southampton 3-0 in a relegation six-pointer. Now Blackburn is nine points clear of the relegation zone as they climb back up the table. It’s a great win for Rovers, one that will not go unnoticed by the Parkhead faithful, the manager, the players and most of all Bellamy. Once Blackburn secures their survival in the Premier, Hughes said, “A striker is something for the summer.”
No player is bigger than the club is and Bellamy is certainly not the only one who could leave Celtic. Neil Lennon has caught the attention of Bolton manager Sam Allardyce. The manager believes if his team gets that all-important fourth spot for Champions League he can attract the holding midfielder to the Wanderers. Because that’s what Bolton is a team of holding midfielders.
Lennon is out of contract this summer at Celtic. Allardyce has sugarcoated the Lennon interest. He has also expressing interest in ex-Celtic defender Alan Stubbs, who is playing well for Everton as they close in on a CL spot. Indeed, it looks a good fit for Bolton and for the two old Bhoys to get together again. Good old Sam who still has his thinking cap on.
Also back at Parkhead, O’Neill has forewarned his three keepers that he has no chance to keep all three happy. It’s a red flag for the goalies. It’s a wake-up call. Hoops keeper Magnus Hedman has admitted he would like to play for his first club AIK Stockholm next season.
Jackie McNamara wants a new contract to play for Celtic for the remainder of his career. It will be interesting to see if O’Neill will come across with that one. McNamara’s agent indicated how well the player has been doing for quite some time. Perhaps player and agent feel they deserve to get the contract. It’s hard to believe that MaNamara would leave after his testimonial game. Who would he play for? Nonetheless, O’Neill has to meet with Jackie Bhoy, and soon. Granting McNamara’s contract may not be as straightforward as it may seem. Regardless of the outcome the contract reminds Martin O?Neill and Celtic that their team is getting older.
Paul Lambert wants to remain focused with Celtic for the rest of the season but is certain to go into management next year. Dundee United has expressed interest in the Celtic player to become their manager.
His departure may prove to be one very tough replacement. His experience on the field for Celtic will be missed when it comes to European football. At 35, it’s difficult to stamp your authority in the CL yet he was one of the driving forces behind Celtic’s European run. Players will miss his presence on the field, especially Stilian Petrov. Lambert’s game complements both attacking and defensive midfielders; his positional sense is textbook stuff. He defined his midfield roll with excellent focus while reading the game. He won a CL title in 1997 for Borussia Dortmund. An experience that he brought to Celtic that helped them on their way back to Europe.
Since Henrik Larsson has left, Celtic have not only been hurt on the continent but also at home. Their SPL form has been inconsistent. Although O’Neill did say he felt the team looked their old self after beating Hearts 2-1 in the Tennents Scottish Cup.
In the league it has been touch and go for the first spot between Celtic and Rangers. It did seem that Celtic were coming into the final stretch a little stronger than the old enemy. Rangers, however, stayed the course and an exciting finish to the season is in store for the Old Firm.
As for Celtic, there is a concern for the future especially in European football. Fans have seen their great player Larsson leave. Lambert is next and more will follow. Can Celtic and O’Neill go on? We know O’Neill can — he has done it already. It’s no secret that money is an issue. The lack of it, that is. It seems that has been the case for such a long time at Celtic, doesn’t it?
Chairman Brian Quinn dampened talk of improved finances when he reminded everyone of early Euro exit last time out. All the more reason to give Martin O’Neill the money to buy better players so they can stay longer in Europe. As players leave, the time to buy is rapidly approaching.