Neil Lennon: Robbie will handle it

by Joe McHugh Neil Lennon expects Robbie Keane to excel in the red hot atmosphere of  tomorrow's Rangers-Celtic clash.

An away win is essential if Celtic are to retain an interest in this season's SPL title with the hopes of the hoops support pinned firmly on Keane who is likely to play at Ibrox despite missing training for most of the week.

Lennon has seen it all in almost a decade at Celtic  and happily admits that there is no tried and tested recipe for success in this this fixture.

At lunchtime tomorrow Ibrox will be a pumped up madhouse of passion with the man from Lurgan believing that the key to success is to avoid being carried away by the frenzy of the fans.

Lennon said: “Robbie is experienced enough and will be looking forward to this match, he'll be very motivated.

“At times you can be too fired up, you have to tone things down a wee bit but Robbie is experienced enough to handle it.

“He's looking forward to the game, he's waited a long time to play in this fixture, it's a great game for him because the importance of it is mammoth.

“It'll be helter-skelter to start off with but once you get through that initial 15/20 minute period you have to try and stamp your authority on the game.”

Lennon added: “You need to feed off the atmosphere and enjoy it. It's very intense but you have to show controlled aggression.

“You can tell players all you want but until they go out there and experience it for themselves there's not really much you can do. Some will revel in it, some won't.

“The fans are all telling you to get stuck in but you just have to be professional in your own mind, keep a cool head and play the game.

“Obviously you are desperate to win the game but you have to be cold in your mind, in my experience the first goal is really important.

“Whoever gets the first goal in these games invariably goes on to win it or at least doesn't get beat.”

Four years ago at Ibrox Lennon lined up alongside Roy Keane as Celtic eased themselves towards the title thanks to a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Majik Zurawski.

The former Manchester United skipper strolled through that match with Lennon impressed by the clinical approach of his midfield partner.

Lennon recalled: “Roy Keane was one of the greatest players of his generation, it was just another big game in a catalogue of big matches for him.

“He was very calm in the dressing room, he wasn't a ranter or raver, he was mature enough by then to know better.

“Anything that he said was controlled, on the pitch he was a bit more aggressive but you are talking about a player with an unbelievable will to win.

“When I joined Celtic Martin O'Neill told me that my first game would be a blur and he was right.

“My first game against Rangers was a League Cup semi-final at Hampden, we won 3-1 and there was three players sent off!

“The first 45 minutes flew by, fortunately the next fixture was also against Rangers so I knew exactly what was coming and I was more prepared for it.

“Everyone handles things differently and I'm looking forward to seeing Robbie playing against Rangers."

Attention seeker Thompson marks Keane's card

by Joe McHugh In his day-glo lemon and lime outfit there was never any doubt that referee Craig Thompson was out to make an impact at the Celtic-Dundee United match.

In a season of puzzling refereeing decisions Thompson has been to the fore with Hugh Dallas forced into issuing an apology for one mistake made by Thompson in the October 4 Rangers-Celtic match.

For reasons unknown, Thompson failed to notice Shaun Maloney being fouled in the penalty box which should have given Celtic a penalty, which could of course have been missed, and resulted in a yellow or red card for Rangers captain David Weir.

Later on in the same match Maloney and Mark Wilson were booked for simulation in the box.

Yesterday was Thompson's first SPL match at Celtic Park of the season and it appears that time hasn't improved his judgement.

Not so long ago it used to be said that the sign of a good referee was one that got through the match un-noticed, these days a number of referees seem to think that they are the main attraction.

From early on in the match it was clear that Thompson was there to make an impact with Robbie Keane of particular interest.

In the eighth minute Keane showed a good turn of pace to break clear of Gary Kenneth but the United player used his bulk to get himself back between Keane and the ball and managed to hold off the Celtic striker as the ball went out of play.

An every day incident that annoys supporters but is an accepted part of the game. Keane was frustrated but didn't overly indulge in dramatics other than the usual strikers annoyance at a chance being missed.

Cue Thompson for his first intervention.

Rather than having a quiet word with Keane as play resumes the referee decided to break the game up by calling Keane over for a very public reprimand. From that moment on the Celtic support were looking out for every decision from the referee which seemed to suit Thompson nicely.

It's a favourite footballing cliche to say that it wasn't a dirty game after seven or eight bookings are issued but yesterday's match certainly wasn't overly physical.

Thompson's previous five SPL matches had brought about nine yellow cards- in 90 minutes yesterday he managed to book five players with the prize scalp of Keane coming in the 80th minute.

The on-loan Spurs striker had had a physical afternoon up against Kenneth and Andy Webster and had given as good as he had got.

With one challenge from Webster appearing more physical than usual the Celtic striker expected to be given a foul- not so with Thompson.

Keane then ran, hardly sprinting or racing, towards the referee and virtually without looking up, almost anticipating/hoping that it would be Keane the referee was reaching for his pocket and yellow carding the striker.

Several times in every game players are seen questioning referees, rarely does it result in an instant yellow card.

When a player refuses to accept the referees word and continues to nip back he can expect a yellow card.

All sorts of players have running discussions with referees throughout the game with respect coming from both sides when it's dealt with in a mature manner.

One of the criticisms of the card system is that it cuts out dialogue between officials and players, referees can reach for the card in retaliation without even speaking to the offender.

Keane's booking was the perfect example of that and how a referee can issue a card without explanation or justification.

This week Hugh Dallas is apparently taking some referees off to Spain for a summit and review of the season, we await the outcome with trepadation.

Post match Tony Mowbray interview.

Tony Mowbray's post match interview with ESPN was just as bewildering as the performance that his team  turned in to draw 4-4 at Aberdeen.

The watching Celtic fans were left  dismayed at the final whistle as more SPL points were dropped despite going ahead three times.

The various inconsistencies of referee Iain Brines, or consistent inconsistencies, were almost forgotten in the aftermath with Mowbray's comments adding to the confusion.

The Celtic boss explained that the decision to replace Robbie Keane with Georgios Samaras was to help out at the back against set-pieces and claimed that it could turn out to be a point gained over the weekend.

Whatever the outcome of the Rangers-Hibs match tomorrow Celtic dropped two points today and have now lost 12 points since the turn of the year.

"Quite inexplicably we gave them a lifeline, they grabbed it and it was a frustrating day for us," Mowbray explained.

ESPN: "It was really hard to explain the handball from Braffheid at that point in the game?

Mowbray: "You saw it, I saw it, sometimes it's difficult to explain them situations, it gave them a lifeline, they pushed very hard for an equaliser and ultimately got it.

ESPN: "Was that the disappointing factor today, you kept on letting them back into the game. I know that you have defensive problems but that must give you a real headache?

Mowbray: "It's there, it's evident to see. We knew before the game about our defensive problems. We didn't stand up to what came our way. We scored some great goals and we lost poor goals from set-plays and an inexplicable penalty kick.

ESPN: "As a centre half yourself though of course...

Mowbray: "Yeah, we just ask somebody to go and head the ball, it's not as if Aberdeen are a huge side. They don't have great height in their side, we're looking for somebody to take the lead today, to go and be dominant and that didn't come to fruition.

ESPN: "Easy to look back now I guess but at 4-2 you took Robbie Keane off, you must have thought that the game was won of course, do you regret that now?

Mowbray: "No, no. Only if Robbie could help us with set plays, he's not a giant you know. He's not going to head corners away for us, he doesn't even go back for them. Whereas Samaras does, he's 6 foot 3, that was part of the thinking, we knew that they would try and put a lot of balls into our box late on, as they did, they've got great free-kick delivery and set-play delivery and it was important to get some physique in there. I don't think that had any relevance to the game.

ESPN: "I know that you will fight on in the league Tony as always but it's going to be difficult now isn't it?

Mowbray: "I don't know. It's a point for us whose to say, we don't know what the results are going to be later on or tomorrow, it may be a point gained, we'll wait and see.

ESPN: "What did you say to the guys after that, what was their reaction in the dressing room?

Mowbray: "I'll leave the dressing room to the dressing room and we'll keep it there."

The arguments about the performance, the manager and the result will rage on which will help deflect blame away from another awful refereeing performance.

Iain Brines decided to book two Celtic players for kicking the ball away, one of them after a goal. Does Brines do this in every game?

After scoring Aberdeen's fourth goal Stevie MacLean lifted off his Aberdeen shirt and raced off the pitch into the crowd to celebrate without even being booked.

Brines took some delight three years ago in issuing a second yellow card to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink away to Inverness Caley Thistle for celebrating with supporters WITH his shirt on.

What was the difference today?

Three weeks ago Morten Rasmussen was booked for celebrating with the supporters after scoring at Hamilton. That referee was following the letter of the law, the law that Brines forgot about today.

Aberdeen's Mark Kerr committed two bookable fouls on Celtic players without being disciplined: in the first half it was a two footed lunge at Aiden McGeady that went unpunished then in the second half he had a swipe at Robbie Keane.

Fouls were given to Celtic on both occasions without any card being shown by Brines who seems keener on booking players for kicking the ball away.
Celtic's u-19s face Dundee United at Tannadice tomorrow for a place in the semi-finals of the SFA Youth Cup, kick-off 2pm

Revealing insight from Tony Mowbray

After yesterday's 4-2 win at Dunfermline Tony Mowbray gave a relaxed and revealing interview to Radio Scotland's Jim Spence.

Most of Mowbray's recent press duties have been defensive and confrontational but Dundonian Spence put some enthusiasm into his questions and got  interesting answers from the Celtic boss.

For the first time Mowbray hinted at some concerns from the decision makers at Celtic but remained focussed and confident that a successful team was beginning to evolve.

There were no stock answers about taking defeats 'on the chin' but an interesting insight into his thoughts as he attempts to create and build a successful team against a mixed reaction from supporters concerned about falling ten points behind a Rangers side flirting with financial disaster.

Mowbray said: “I'm sure that the people that make the real key decisions at this football club can see what is developing.

“I hope that Celtic supporters and the extended Celtic family can see what we're trying to build here.

“While there is a certain amount of hysteria at times about what is going on I'm very confident about what we are building.

“The signs were there, when we are in possession of the ball and going forward this team can be exciting.

“I have great belief in the group, we were disappointed that we couldn't bring in a one or two players in the window.

“You have to have quality all over the pitch, at this moment we have a young 18-year-old centre half (Josh Thompson), we did try to strengthen in that area during the window but it didn't quite happen for us.

“We will get there. It's a longer term plan, once you build something with solid foundations you will find longevity of success.

“That's what we're trying to do here, the ingredients are coming together, they don't click overnight.

“I understand the hysteria around defeats but I try to build football clubs from a base of strength, you do that by bringing in quality players”

Celtic's attacking options were impressive yesterday but equally the defending was a concern.

Wholesale changes have been made across the back four over the last three games with Darren O'Dea, Lee Naylor, Scott Brown and Edson Braffheid all playing at left-back at some point.

Mowbray acknowledged the problems and difficulties in that area and is determined to get the team playing together as an effective unit.

He added: “There was some good and bad from us today, we have to set our standards as high as we can high.

“At times we were in total control and looked like scoring at will but other times we let our standards slip.

“The signs were there, when we are in possession of the ball and going forward this team can be exciting.

“At the other end of the pitch we have work to do, we had a few changes, we missed Hooiveld today, he brings composure to the back line

“Robbie Keane has genuine class, if you can add can add class to any hard working, talented football team, that little bit of class makes a difference.

“He ignited the team, it might not be any individual thing that he does but just by the cleverness of his movement, his little touches create space for others to do the damage.”
Evening Herald Celtic report

Radio Scotland interview

Ras- the ultimate predator

“I'm a striker and most of my goals are scored in the box. I am a box player, I like to be in the box."

Reading that quote from Morten Rasmussen as he joined Celtic I thought 'Great, a penalty box striker'.

Wrong. Rasmussen isn't a penalty box striker- he's a six yard box striker.

Three goals, yip, I'll credit him unofficially with the third goal today at Dunfermline, in 139 minutes is a fantastic return at any level. With all three goals coming from within the six yard box it's even better.

Weaving the prettiest of patterns will always be pleasing on the eye but without the ball ending up in the back of the net all the possession in the world is pointless as Arsenal found out again at Chelsea today.

The direction of the Celtic team under Tony Mowbray is unclear but without doubt he has uncovered a gem of a striker in Rasmussen.

None of his 'three' goals will ever feature in a goal of the season, or of the month, competition but having someone hovering around in the penalty box with the instinct to find the ball and lose defenders is priceless.

Rasmussen looks capable of linking play up as well, giving midfielders a target to aim for, but all the time his aim is to be on the end of the move to put the ball in the net.

The third Celtic goal today at Dunfermline was the perfect example of a predator. Rasmussen found space as Robbie Keane steadied himself to shoot but the ball broke off the keeper. Rasmussen didn't let his head go down, he hung around and as the ball was crossed back into the six yard box his presence panicked Callum Woods into putting the ball into the net.

There were real signs of a partnership and understanding forming between Keane and Rasmussen during the second half with Diomansy Kamara linking well with both players and looking a serious goal threat himself.

With all three players finding the net there will be a sense of anticipation and excitement about the game with Hearts on Wednesday although Jim Jefferies could be using the same words as he looks at the Celtic defence.

Landry N'Guemo finished today's match at right back just as Scott Brown had came on at left-back in the defeat at Kilmarnock.

Getting the balance and mix right at the back is vital if Mowbray's side are to make the most of their attacking options- till then it's hold on tight for a white knuckle ride that requires four straight wins over Hearts, Aberdeen, Dundee United and Rangers to make a fight of things in the SPL.
Evening Herald Celtic report

Seven on Seven: Larsson delight at Keane deal

It's not much that gets Henrik Larsson excitable but the signing of Robbie Keane had the Swede drooling at the mouth although he managed to stop short of bursting into a chorus or two of The Celtic Song.

Keane has inherited the number 7 shirt worn by Juninho, Maciej Zurawski and Scott McDonald before being handed to the new bhoy yesterday.

Speaking to Radio Scotland Larsson said: “It's fantastic news for Celtic to get a striker of his quality. He's a great fan of Celtic and that's very important, he knows what it means to be supporting the team.

“Celtic fans are unbelievable, the way that they support the team and get behind them is fantastic. I'm not surprised that the fans turned out in numbers, Robbie is a very good striker and deserves it.

“I hope that he can be good now and do well for Celtic, I'm absolutely sure that he will do well and there's not a lot of places better than being at Celtic.

“Robbie has played for other big teams in the past but this is his boyhood dream to play for Celtic. I'm all for him staying at Celtic, they need all the good players that they can have.”

John Hartson was equally pleased with the deal, he said: “This is a fantastic signing for Celtic, Robbie Keane is a world class player.

“He's did it for his country over many years and has scored over one hundred goals for Tottenham in the Premiership and for me it's a signing that Celtic fans will really get excited about.

“There's no doubt that he'll do well and score bundles of goals in Scotland, I've every faith that he'll be a great signing.

“It's cost them a lot of money but that's the market these days. You have to go and pay big if you want the best players.

“Celtic paid big money for Chris Sutton, Alan Thompson and Neil Lennon a few years ago and that brought them success and trophies.

“Over the last few years Celtic have only spent minor money, £750,000 or £1m but now they have gone out and pushed the boat out for a top class player.”

Radio Scotland interview (cut to the chase at 46 minutes)

Robbie ready to put Paris into the past for title chase.

Robbie Keane is ready to put three months of frustration into the past as he kicks-off his Celtic career at Kilmarnock.

The Ireland skipper was more devastated than anyone when Thierry Henry's handball ended his nations World Cup hopes in the Stade de France sparking a worldwide outcry.

No one had did more than Keane to drive Giovanni Trappatoni's side to South Africa but more than his World Cup ambitions lay in ruin.

Returning to the Tottenham side he was to find it increasingly difficult to split up the Jermaine Defoe/Peter Crouch partnership favoured in attack by Harry Redknapp.

With just one goal, against Peterborough since that night in Paris the attraction of Celtic must have grown on Keane by the day.

Just before midnight on transfer deadline day he took his bow in front of thousands of delirious Celtic fans with the serious action starting tonight.

In a league almost devoid of characters and special talent the pressure will be on Keane throughout his Celtic loan deal- something the striker relishes.

He admitted: “I've had pressure throughout my career as a player and as a striker, pressure comes with the job and it's something that I thrive on.

“This is a big time for me, I want to play and score a lot of goals for the club, that's why I'm here and relishing the challenge.

“If Tottenham had a game on Tuesday I'd be available, there's no reason why I can't be available for Celtic at Kilmarnock.

“I trained well on Monday and feel good, it'll take me a few games to get settled in and get my match sharpness, that will only come with games.”

Explaining his move from the Premiership Keane added: “I could have stayed at Spurs and been happy sitting on the bench as a bit part player but that's not for me.

“People who know me know that I want to play football, I wouldn't be happy sitting collecting my money and not be playing.

“I've always wanted to play for Celtic and I think that this works out for all parties.

“It's been no secret that Celtic have been trying to get me for a few years, for different circumstances it just didn't happen but this time it's came about, there was a chance that it could happen.

“I put my thinking cap on and didn't need much persuading, I'm happy to be here and looking forward to putting the jersey on and playing games.

“I spoke to the people who are really close to me, the people that I've always spoken to and I know a few of the players here like Lee Naylor, Aiden McGeady and Darren O'Dea.

“They told me that the club was massive, I'm a Celtic supporter so I know what comes with it and didn't have to ask too many questions.

“It's been no secret that I've been a Celtic fan and wanted to play for them one day. I'm lucky enough to come here at a good age, I didn't want to come here at 34 years of age, at the end of my career and struggle.

“I'm coming here at the peak of my career and can really help the club.

“It's a loan until the end of the season. I want to get games and hope that it works out well for myself, Tottenham and obviously Celtic. I'll enjoy these few months of playing football.”

Will 'golfing trip' drive Robbie to hoops?

Will an undercover, unwelcome, unofficial Spurs Christmas party spell the end of the road for Robbie Keane at White Hart Lane?

There will be merry hell today at Tottenham's training after Harry Redknapp spits out the Corn Flakes after reading The Sun's blow by blow account of his players 'golfing trip' to Dublin last week.

I'd be amazed if a cunning old fox like 'Arry didn't have a minder or two keeping tabs on things as the Robbie Keane inspired event unfolded.

But will it force open the door to take Keane to Celtic and finally end the longest running rumour in football?

When The Sun does these stories they do them very well, there is no kite flying with dates times and venues given in detail as the Golfing Hotspurs chased birdies with concentration that would impress Tiger Woods.

Coming three days before the surprise home defeat from Wolves the timing couldn't be worse with Redknapp stating repeatedly his dislike for the boozing culture within football.

Days after the event Redknapp was spelling out exactly his thoughts on the great no-no of Christmas parties for footballers.

He said: “The only advise that I have about Christmas parties is don't have one.

“I don't see the point because they are nothing but aggravation for everybody.

“Everyone's waiting for you to trip up, go out and get drunk and act silly. You don't need that.

“This is a busy period, a working period. Why should we have Christmas parties? Every year there is aggro at every football club that has one.

“If they (the players) tell me that they are having one I'll tell them that they're not having one.”

There is no suggestion of anything untoward at the 'golfing trip' but with their manager stating publicly his opposition the players involved, and organiser in particular, will have some explaining to do.

An old fox like Redknapp probably knows more details about the event than The Sun reporter but being challenged publicly will be the issue for the Spurs boss.

The 'Keane for Celtic' rumour failed to surface last year but has been gaining momentum over the last few weeks with a loan deal suggested as a solution for all three parties, pardon the pun.

Speculation will intensify over the next few days but with Paul McGowan on the goal trail Robbie could find himself as fifth choice striker should he get the green light to wear the hoops!
The Sun story

Keano goes tonto!

Roy Keane has waded into the controversy surrounding the France-Ireland match by saying that the Irish have no one to blame but themselves.

The simmering anger that has never been far below the surface since Keane walked out of the 2002 World Cup exploded again today at the pre-match media conference apparently to preview tomorrow's match with Sheffield Wednesday.

After the fall-out with Mick McCarthy in 2002 Keane retained a high level of sympathy and support throughout Ireland as he let rip with a string of complaints about McCarthy and the FAI.

That support has never left Keane through his career moves from Manchester United through to Celtic, Sunderland and now on to Ipswich.

However his criticism of the team that faced France, the defenders and goalkeeper Shay Given in particular, will surely bring about a sea change in opinion with few dissenters in Ireland over the injustice of Wednesday's KO inspired by the cheating of Thierry Henry.

Keane has never gone with the flow, he has often enjoyed the role of the rebel, but his barbed comments about the events in Paris are likely to push his supporters into a corner that can't be defended.

COMMOTION

"I've been amazed by the commotion over the last few days," the Ipswich boss said. "Yeah of course Henry handled the ball but I'd be more focused on why didn't they clear it? I'd be more annoyed with my defenders and goalkeeper than Thierry Henry.

"How can you let the ball bounce about in the six yard box? How can you let Thierry Henry get goal-side of you? And if the ball is bouncing in the six yard box I'd be saying where the hell is my goalkeeper?

"They should have cleared it, the defenders let the ball bounce in the six yard box.

"If that was my team I'd go into the dressing room and I wouldn't even mention the handball I'd just say why didn't anyone head it? Defenders have to focus on the players, there is only one ball, just go and head it.

"Where is my goalkeeper? The ball bounced in the six yard box from a free-kick just inside the halfway line, that's what I'd be asking about not about the handball.

Keane added: "Ireland had the chances over the two games and never took them, in the first game they never performed, in the second half (in Paris) we had opportunities to score and didn't take them.

DECISIONS

"But it's the usual FAI reaction, we've been robbed, the honesty of the game. There was one of the group matches, I'm sure it was Georgia where Ireland got a penalty it was one of the worst decisions that I've ever seen, one which changed the whole course of the game.

"I don't remember the FAI saying after the game that we should give them a replay.

"There's a lot at stake, the Irish supporters deserve better, the manager deserves better probably most of the players deserve better but do the FAI deserve better? What goes around comes around.

"France were there for the taking and Ireland never grabbed it, usual stuff, afraid of that next step, mentally not strong enough, they can complain all they want its not going to change France are going to the World Cup, get over it

"I don't want the sympathy vote, the usual, the usual carry on, boring, bore you to death it would."

Keane's comments and the long standing grievances that he nurtures are far from boring, his comments today are likely to make him second only to Henry in popularity terms in Ireland with respect and sympathy for the stance that he took in 2002 likely to disappear as he appears to revel in the misfortunes of Paris.

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