It's got to be Shay ahead of Bellamy or Keane
Craig Bellamy would be fantastic, Robbie Keane amazing but although it may not be the biggest of box office deals bringing Given back to Celtic would be the biggest boost that the team could get.
With Given relegated to the bench at Manchester City and Celtic desperate to replace Artur Boruc the deal ticks all the boxes with no arm-twisting required to convince the ‘keeper of the merits of a move to Celtic.
The anticipated arrivals of Emilio Izaguirre and Daniel Majstorovic begin to complete the look of Neil Lennon’s squad but with the best will in the world Lucasz Zaluska could never be considered as more than an able deputy.
Signing Given would at a stroke bring a sense of stability to the defence and possibly even a captain to the team… as well as end a 16 year old sore.
With a defence likely to consist of a Korean, Dutchman, Swede and Honduran Given’s Donegal demands are exactly what the new defenders require and would send a wave of confidence through the side that hasn’t been present since Boruc’s vintage spell of 2005-2008.
This morning’s papers are heavy on speculation that Celtic are poised to move for Given with Arsenal and Fulham listed as potential competitors.
Without going overboard Given has never hidden his wish to play for Celtic, he gets along to as many matches as possible and with his wife coming from Cumbernauld the timing of a move could be perfect.
The keeper gave Newcastle the bulk of his career and left with a heavy heart as he saw the writing on the wall at a club in constant crisis. Newcastle were relegated four months after he left for Manchester City.
A further move to London would hardly be the end of the world for Given but if it comes down to a choice between Arsenal and Celtic I think he’ll be heading north.
Manchester City aren’t obliged to sell the keeper- selling to a rival would be madness and potentially damaging to City’s ambitions.
If Celtic’s interest is genuine then I don’t see too many difficulties in agreeing a deal that suits all parties involved with City more than capable of moving into the transfer market to bring in an experienced back-up to Joe Hart.
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Emilio Izaguirre talks about his Celtic move
