von danrik » Do 5. Aug 2010, 18:41
Celtic back for Craig Bellamy as Neil Lennon eyes Europa spot
Celtic are preparing to make a major push to bring Craig Bellamy back to Parkhead.
But any move for the Manchester City striker will be dependant on Aiden McGeady agreeing to join Spartak Moscow, or any other club prepared to match the ÂŁ9million the Russians have already put on the table for the winger.
Manager Neil Lennon emphasised it is also very important Celtic have the lure of Europe to try and attract top players to the club.
So, after being dumped from the Champions League at the qualifying stage by SC Braga, despite winning 2-1 in last night’s second leg, the Parkhead boss says it is “imperative” that Celtic do not crash out of Europe completely when they play in the knockout round for the Europa League later this month.
The draw for those games takes place tomorrow, and the squad has to be registered by 11pm on Monday.
The race is on to get 31-year-old Bellamy on board by then.
Spurs and Fulham are also trying to get him. But City would prefer not to do business with Premiership rivals, and the player is understood to be pushing to be allowed to come back to Celtic to play for his friend Lennon.
Lennon refused to comment on what is expected to be a loan move for Bellamy. But the return of the man who spent five months at Parkhead in 2005 would be a huge boost to the supporters – and to season ticket sales.
However, nothing can be finalised until Celtic know they have got the money from the sale – and freed up the wages – of McGeady.
The Republic of Ireland international has spent the last two days being shown around Moscow by Spartak officials who are confident he will accept a four-year contract which will earn him ÂŁ8m after tax.
McGeady is due back in Glasgow today, and Celtic officials will expect to hear his decision quickly.
Other players could arrive even sooner than Bellamy – in particular a left-back, a goalkeeper and a central defender – because they will not represent anything like the financial commitment bringing the Welshman north will entail.
Targets for all three positions have been identified. But Lennon admits that not having the lure of a potential place in the Champions League could hamper his chances of persuading players to come to the SPL.
He said: “Going out of the Champions League so early could have a negative effect on the whole outlook of things, the way people perceive the club and Scottish football.
“So the Europa League is imperative now, and we want to progress as far as we can in it.”
Celtic’s failure to negotiate the qualifying rounds for the second year running has handed another £2.5m windfall to Rangers, who now collect the entire proceeds allocated to Scottish representatives from Uefa’s Champions League TV pool.
In total, Celtic have missed out on around £12m. But Lennon is now turning his attention to qualifying for the Europa League, and is keeping his fingers crossed that tomorrow’s draw for the knockout round is kind to them.
“I hope the fact we are seeded will be an advantage, but you never know with the draws we get,” he said, aware that the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Rapid Vienna, and Red Star Belgarde are all among the non-seeded teams
Martin O'Neill - Legend 
