Neil Lennon: “We’re pretty close to Murphy”

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has admitted that he is looking to sign Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy.

Lennon watched his strikers draw a blank in last night’s 1-0 defeat from Philadelphia Union and is keen to bring in a striker or two to the club.

Interest in Robbie Keane and Craig Bellamy will probably depend on the sale of Aiden McGeady with Georgios Samaras another likely departure.

Murphy spent part of last season on loan at Ipswich and is available for £1m from Sunderland where he is out of Steve Bruce’s plans.

Asked about transfer activity following the Philadelphia defeat Lennon admitted: “We’re pretty close to Murphy. He’s quick, he’s 6 foot 2 or 3 and I’ve watched him for a few years.

“I first noticed him playing for Ireland on an end of season tour of America and I’ve kept an eye on him ever since.

“He was at Ipswich on loan and could do all right for us, playing for Celtic would appeal to him, he knows about the club with his background. That could play a big part.”

Morten Rasmussen and Paul McGowan started last night’s match with Ben Hutchinson and Cillian Sheridan appearing as second half substitutes.

Murphy joined Sunderland in a £100,000 transfer from Waterford but scored just once in the disastrous 2005/06 season that saw Sunderland relegated from the Premiership.

Murphy started just five Premiership games for the Black Cats and was used as a substitute in 13 matches.

The following season, with Roy Keane in charge, he scored 10 goals from 27 starts as Sunderland stormed back to the Premiership.

Despite starting in 20 Premiership matches Murphy found the net just three times although Sunderland did manage to stay up in the top flight.

Murphy was re-united with Keane on-loan last season and scored 6 goals to help steer Ipswich into mid-table and has an offer to return to Portman Road.

Lennon interview (interview 6)

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