Over his time as Celtic manager there is no position that Neil Lennon has worked harder on than central defence.
It’s not difficult to rattle off ten or more players that have been tried in that position without ever looking like a long term solution.
A year ago Kelvin Wilson was virtually written off by most supporters but showed some class and composure in Europe without fully winning over his doubters.
For a few months Wilson’s partnership with Efe Ambrose showed lots of promise but the post African Nations Cup defender was barely recognisable from the somersaulting defender signed from FC Ashdod in August.
Down the years, like most Irish internationalists, Richard Dunne has been mentioned as a possible signing without anything concrete emerging.
While the goals of Robbie Keane powered Ireland to Euro 2012 the bravery, commitment and ability of Dunne at the other end of the park alongside Shay Given was just as vital.
Dunne’s bravery is legendary but after a year out with a variety of injuries he has been freed by Aston Villa. It would be easy for the 33-year-old to take a step back after a decade at the top with Everton annd Manchester City but the competitor in Dunne wouldn’t allow that to happen.
Throughout his time in charge Lennon has attempted to bring in experienced players from the Premiership but found the wages on offer down south more attractive than the glamour of playing for Celtic and the opportunity to play in Europe.
After missing the entire season at club level Dunne appeared as a substitute today for Ireland in the 4-0 friendly win over Georgia in Dublin.
Looking at his future he said: ““I want to go somewhere where I’m happy and my family is happy. It’s important I go somewhere I will play.
“It’s (Georgia match) a big occasion for me, I just want to play.. The biggest thing for me is I have to play a bit of match and see how I feel after it. Just to show that I can get through it and be fit.
“I think it’s to prove to myself because I don’t want to sign for a team and then spend next season in a gym again.
“Ideally I’d want to play a reserve game behind closed doors but this match is available and it’s brilliant that the manager has given me the opportunity to be in the squad — and hopefully on the pitch.
“It’s a friendly where it’s not as intense as the England game or the game against the Faroes on Friday, so hopefully it’s the ideal one.”
Dunne’s commitment and ability is beyond question- fully fit he’d be an awesome presence in the heart of the Celtic defence.
To be fair when Keane (Roy) came to CP on the Jan of 06, Lenny had already lead the Bhoys to almost certain spl success before Christmas.
It was Lenny and the Bhoys victory on the park, with Roy very much the passenger. He was there as a favour to him, imo, rather than any real benefit to the team in a league that was very much done and dusted, performance wize, I think that was plain to see.
Ten appearances, one goal and a shocker against Clyde in his first game.
With all the respect in the world Billy, I don’t think Roy’s a fair comparison.
HH
I kind of agree with you Sweeney but Roy had professed for years that he wanted to end his playing days with the Tic. He didn’t want to play for us when he was a decent player and we should never ever accommodated him. Retiremt home my arse!
Agreed Billy, I always thought it, unfairly, diluted Lennys achievement as Cpt.
Even on his wiki page it claims he ‘led Celtic to victory’ in the hun game we won with him in the team. My @rse!
Infact considering his performance against 3rd div Clyde in the SC in a league and LC double season, there’s a reasonable argument that he COULD HAVE cost us a treble.
I think we can both agree either he was a luxury we couldn’t afford results wise or the club were certainly over genrous to him because of his celebrity status within the game.
It was Lennys team on the pitch and Lennys Captainsy all the way that won us the league that year.
WGS helped abit ;0)
HH
33 year old Centre back .I have always thought that Dunne looked a little slow. Forget the dream Dunne does not fit the bill we need at Central defense . We need skill, speed and experience ,two out of three ain”t bad but not good enough.
Ps. Sorry meant to include that your also bang on in the fact that if Celtic meant so much to him he would have given us a couple of seasons before he was basically crippled at that level of the game.
And I’m sure he culd have afforded it financially.
KTF.