| |
| ACTUALITE |
12.08.2007
Doumbe new Celtic talks
CELTIC are continuing their pursuit of defender Jean-Joel Perrier Doumbe - even though the deadline to play in the Champions League qualifiers has now passed.
The Cameroon cap is due to fly into Glasgow today where a 12-month contract is waiting for him.
And his agent, Willie McKay, said: "Celtic have made Jean-Joel an offer and he`s thinking it over."
As revealed in later editions of last night`s SportTimes, manager Gordon Strachan had hoped a deal could have been struck to bring the Rennes full-back on board in time to be registered for the games against Spartak Moscow, the first of which is next Wednesday in Russia.
advertisementBut, negotiations with the man who spent the second half of last season on loan at Parkhead, and who scored the winner in May`s Tennent`s Scottish Cup Final against Dunfermline, could not be concluded ahead of the deadline.
Now, though sources at the club indicate a deal is still probable, Celtic must go to Moscow without any extra cover for full-backs Mark Wilson and Lee Naylor.
However, Celtic - who had also been on the trail of PSG`s £2m-rated defender Bernard Mendy during the summer - have not given up hope of signing Doumbe ahead of the next deadline to play in subsequent Euro games, which is September 1.
They will also maintain their efforts to bring back Shaun Maloney from Aston Villa, whose manager Martin O`Neill is not prepared to allow anyone to leave until he brings in more players.
Doumbe was originally made an offer when his loan deal ran out in June, but elected to keep his options open.
There was interest from several clubs, including FC Copenhagen, Sheffield Wednesday and St Etienne. But he is still a free agent, his contract with Rennes now having reached its end.
Strachan can only keep his fingers crossed that Wilson and Naylor emerge from tomorrow`s game at Falkirk unscathed.
He is already without keeper Artur Boruc, who injured his left shoulder at Newcastle two weeks ago.
The Pole had hoped that, after returning to training this week, he would make Moscow.
But, he is still exper-iencing pain from the shoulder, and this hope appears to be waning.
The thousands of fans heading for next week`s game have been advised by Celtic that, due to the fact tickets can`t be sent outwith Russia, they will have to collect them in person from the British Embassy in Moscow on the day of the game.
The Embassy will be open for the distribution of tickets from 1pm until 5pm, and fans must produce their passports.
The Embassy is located at Smolenskaya Naberezhnaya 10, and the nearest Metro station is Smolenskaya.
All fans require a visa to gain entry to Russia, and these can still be obtained today from the Consulate in Melville Street, Edinburgh Celtic have reminded fans of the need for good behaviour in Russia, where penalties can be severe.
|
|
| Hits: 1 | Source:Autres | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
