Celtic seek Craig Bellamy loan move
Scottish Premier League giants Celtic have approached Manchester City over the prospect of taking Craig Bellamy on loan.
The striker has fallen out of favour at the City of Manchester Stadium, with manager Roberto Mancini preferring to play Emanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez upfront. With Robinho about to make his return, the fact that he has been left out of the club’s squad for the UEFA Europa League qualifying play-off tie against Romanian outfit Timisoara – even though there was space for two more players to be named – and the impending arrival of Mario Balotelli from Inter Milan, first team opportunities look scarce for Bellamy at the English Premier League club.
Bellamy had previously been on loan at Celtic Park in 2005, where he proved a big hit with the Hoops’ fans as he scored nine goals in just 15 games.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon confirmed today that he had contacted City over the player’s availability. He told reporters that: “"When you see someone of the calibre of Craig and the fact that he's not in the 25 and he's looking to go out and play football, then we feel it's something that we can't try and miss out on. We've been speaking to his representatives and we've been speaking to Man City. How far down the line we are will be down to Craig obviously. For me he was their best player last season.''
Pacy striker
Lennon played alongside 30-year-old Bellamy for Celtic five years ago, and so will be well aware of the Wales international’s talents. Bellamy is a very quick striker, who will create chances for both himself and his team-mates.
Celtic’s proposal to take Bellamy on loan has been given the thumbs-up by Wales national coach John Toshack, who said that: “He was at Celtic for a short spell a few years ago, so he knows the club - the manager now knows him well enough - so he would be getting regular, competitive football then. That would be a plus for him and for us."
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