| The Scot Report - Fans hoping Keane will fix Celtic flaws
Celtic fans are keen to see Roy Keane shape a Celtic team that is
clearly struggling in defence.
Players such as Bobo Balde are making careless mistakes that could cost
Celtic the league as they fight to retain their position at the top of
the table.
Gordon Strachan has admitted there must be changes in attitude for the
New Year. He said: “We’ll need to play better than we have done in
recent weeks. We have picked up points but we need to be more physical.
“I’m not talking about going out and kicking anyone; just having an
upper body strength.
“When the ball goes forward I want to be more physical because sometimes
we play that much we put ourselves into bother.
“We just have to knock it up the other end and fight over some scraps.”
Former Celtic manager Liam Brady, who has been a staunch critic of
fellow Irishman Roy Keane over the years, believes that the former
Manchester United player is exactly what Celtic need.
The former Parkhead boss said: “Keane has been brought in to move Celtic
up a level. In a league in which he shouldn’t have to fully extend
himself and in which his lack of pace won’t be exposed like it has been
in England, he should be able to make a difference.”
Perhaps nothing will prepare Keane for his first Old-Firm derby or some
of the bitterness he will face at Tynecastle, but Brady is adamant Roy
is more than capable of keeping a clear head and orchestrating the run
of play during the
worst kind of turmoil that these games often bring with them.
Brady said: “The experience of defeat in an Old Firm game is so
devastating that it’s hard to describe and both Celtic and Rangers
demand strong players who can shrug off a major set back and relish the
chance of making up for it. Again, Keane fits that bill.”
Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell has also spoke out in defence of Bobo Balde
while admitting the player has been at fault in recent games. He thinks
that Keane’s skill will turn Balde into a better player.
Gemmell said: “I would play Keane alongside him. I also would find a
place for Stephen McManus but in my opinion the best pairing is Keane
and Balde because Roy’s skill and experience will keep him right.”
Stack becomes a permanent Royal player
READING have signed former Republic of Ireland U-21 goalkeeper Graham
Stack on a permanent basis.
The Berkshire club and current Championship leaders who loaned
24-year-old Stack from Arsenal in the summer have concluded a deal for
the goalkeeper that will keep him at the Madejski Stadium until the
summer of 2008.
Director of football Nick Hammond said: “It was actually agreed when he
joined on loan back in July but it’s official now and he will remain
here as a full-time member of the squad.
“He’s only played three Carling Cup games for us this season because
Marcus Hahnemann’s form has been so good but he’s been a positive
influence around the squad.
“He settled very quickly and has been terrific since he arrived so we
are obviously very pleased.”
Stack, who has Kerry connections, was also on loan at Millwall while
Denis Wise was manager at The Den. |
