Former Celt impresses on trial

James Keatings has been praised by Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond after impressing in a friendly against Lake Macquarie.

The striker was released by Celtic at the end of last season after disappointing loan spells at St Johnstone and Hamilton Accies.

A serious knee injury in April 2011 effectively ended Keatings Celtic career.

Going on trial in Australia has opened up a few doors as well as sharpening up his fitness to get fixed up in the UK for the new season.

Keatings spent a week with Brisbane Roar before moving to Newcastle Jets where he caught the eye of van Egmond.

‘‘Technically he is very good,’’ van Egmond said. ‘‘He is a lefty and like most lefties he is a lovely passer of the ball.  His positioning and reading of play was also excellent.

‘‘We will see what pans out with Nathan Burns (also on trial from Incheon United) and go from there.’’

Jets hit the headlines with the signing of Emile Heskey who scored nine times in 23 matches last season.

While Keatings tries his luck down under former team-mate Robbie Thomson is hoping to earn a deal with Carlisle United.

The keeper was released by Celtic at the end of last season and is in his second week of training with the borders club.

Carlisle boss Greg Abbott said: “I would like a squad that can cope with a couple of injuries to key players. As we stand, we are thin. There’s not a great deal of depth.

“I feel we’ve got a terrific starting XI as we stand, some outside that who are ready and a couple of gambles with younger players, who can sometimes come and surprise you.

“I would probably like another one or two. Certainly there is the left-back situation we’ve got to sort out, and we need a keeper in at some level.”

Thomson is likely to get his chance to impress in the weekend friendlies, tonight at Penrith or tomorrow at Kendal.