Neil Lennon is hoping to make one more signing for his Champions League squad.
As the transfer window closed at midnight the Celtic website announced the signings of defender Efe Ambrose from FC Ashdod, Getafe striker Miku and goalkeeper Lubos Kamenar.
Interestingly the club statement added: “And the club are also looking to bring in another striker, which they are hoping to do ahead of Monday’s UEFA Champions League deadline.”
Clubs are entitled to sign free agents at anytime during the season with Celtic signing Andre Blackman outwith the transfer window last season.
By narrowing the field down to a striker the name of Michael Owen is the most obvious high profile striker without a club.
After a two year stint at Manchester United the former England World Cup striker has turned down various offers in the hope of staying at the highest level of the game having previously turned out for Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle United.
Late last night Owen tweeted: “Nothing to confirm just yet, will be an interesting few days now that the transfer window is closed.”
Owen has family in Glasgow and hasn’t hidden his fondness for the club even though he was never tempted along to a Glasgow derby match in the way that many Premiership stars have including Damien Duff, Andy Carroll, Shay Given, Roy Keane and John O’Shea.
The other obvious target could be James McFadden who was a target for Neil Lennon last autumn.
McFadden decided to remain in England and signed for Everton before being released at the end of the season.
Motherwell had an offrer turned down for their former striker who has been training at Fir Park.
While Owen and McFadden are the obvious candidates yesterday’s transfer dealings continue to underline the fact that Celtic’s scouting network extends way beyond the UK.
Miku and Kamenar hadn’t been linked in any way to Celtic but with the club going public about signing a striker the guessing game is well underway.
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Owen or McFadden? Are either of them still up to playing in the CL?
I have my doubts- Freddie Ljungberg, anyone- but if NL and the other coaches think one of them’s worth a gamble, then we might as well go for it.
FFS Lennon stated on his twitter days ago there was no truth behind him chasing Michael Owen. Catch up.
Heskey, Sheridan and Skacel all out of contract too.
I thought about Skacel last season, good goal scorer, physical could offer good support to the team. Owen / McFadden wouldn’t bother with either of them personally.
Please no
i will second this!!!
mcfadden and own are a massive backwards step!!
owen….doh!!
we know what you meant mate ;0)
HH
As Mark Anthony says “please no” both injury prone and not the physical presence we desperately need up front. Once upon a time they might have been better than what we have but not any more.
Please God let it be Rudi Skacel. We’ve been down the marquee signing route before with horrendous results. I’ve no doubts that Owen is a tremendous footballer who may be getting on a bit, but will his heart be in it for Celtic?
Not a chance it’ll be Skacel! He spat on Neil Lennon during a match, so no chance there thank god.
Just did a bit of research on current free agents so just to throw a few more possible names in there;
Ivan Klasnic, Florent Sinama Pongolle, Tuncay, Somen Tchoyi, Mikael Forssell, Kanu, Danny Webber & David Suazo
Klasnic would be a great shout!
Ale Del Piero, who has not signed on the dotted line down in Australia?
Skacel is a good and under-rated player but not better than what Celtic have and besides, after him spitting in Lenny’s face during a game a few years back, I can’t see Lenny going out of his way to sign him! Bit of a has been anyway.
Some guy called Lazad i’m hearing!??? Nigerian played for Depo la Coruna
Lazad is the man! Remember this name.
Searching for him now and can’t find a bean about him, if i do i’ll pop it up. Coming in tonight for talks according to Lennon now.
Bang
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lassad_Nouioui
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-wckBlWfMo
I totally disagree with the opinions of many on Michael Owen. He is maybe not able to give 90 mins every week, but he is more than cpable of filling gaps to give others a break towards the end of games. Owen at his peak was sheer class and a predator never loses this gift.
Give me Michael Owen anytime.
Looks like Lassad has signed for Levante
Don’t think we need any more forwards – at least we don’t need anyone who’s not got the pace that will be definitely be needed in the CL, which would rule out Owen and McFadden.
Klasnic may provide a different option – a big strong striker…
I would rather NL seek to get adequate cover for who I think will be the most important Celtic player in these CL games – Wagyama.
(Feck, Hibs just equalised – we should have been about 3-0 up at half time)
Sorry, Wanyama – apologies for the lysdexia
Let’s hope not, Owen is not the answer, we need a big, strong forward, someone like Vennegor of Hesselink in my opinion, we have no height up front and Hooper, Stokes and Watt are all ball at feet players. Samaras is not a striker, he is a winger.
Vennegor of Hesselink was crap, utter crud.