CIS Cup Semi-Final and The Transfer Season Can Start Now

By: Matt | January 27th, 2009

So tomorrow Celtic takes the short trip to Hampden to take on Dundee United in the Semi-Final of the CIS Cup, in what might be the first big match, will maybe not for everyone, in Celtic’s trip towards silver. Celtic remain in all three domestic competitions still, but there is a much more pressing issue at hand here. It is now officially the transfer season for Celtic, because A ROBBIE FREAKING KEANE RUMOR has been spotted. Maybe you were like me, naively thinking that since Keane had signed a long term deal with Liverpool that there would be no rumors, but by god they did it. A honest-to-god Robbie Keane rumor. Yes the Irish striker has been struggling at Liverpool, so a couple rumors pages in various newspapers said to themselves, “This is our chance! If we don’t take it, someone else will print this improbably Robbie Keane rumor! Let’s not do it for ourselves, let’s do it for the children!” And to thunderous applause, the printers started printing off this pish. For those keeping score, the general consensus on this rumor is that Keane would come to Celtic on a year long loan deal to try and sort his form. Aye right, let me just hold my breath until it happens.

I had also previously mentioned rumors about Newcastle possibly being interested in Stephen McManus. Well it seems that is all, as the kids say, phooey. Gordon Strachan has said that he has not received any offers for anyone really, let alone McManus. Perhaps Joe Kinnear read The Huddleboard or NaDeadRaibead and saw the *ahem* raving reviews of McManus’ performance this season and thought McManus would wield too hefty of a price tag….yeah that is it. Strachan had this lovely little quote to add, “If Kaka’s for sale, so is anybody, and if I was offered £30m I would say there’s the door.” Yes, because Stephen McManus and Kaka are players who you mention in the same breath…err no. Well, maybe it is possible, let me give it a shot, “Look at Kaka go around McManus with ease.” There, I guess it is possible.

So tomorrow is not only the CIS Cup semi-final, but it also seems to be the Willo Flood Sweepstakes Final. The Welshman is on loan at United and United have offered him a long term deal but to this point he has rejected it. Celtic have also offered him a deal that he could take, but probably won’t if United are still in the Cup. So win tomorrow, win Flood. Both encounters with United so far in the season have finished in draws, however the last fixture at Celtic Park saw Celtic take a two goal lead only to give up that lead in the second half. From the looks of it, it should be a full strength squad for Celtic tomorrow. More players are returning to form from injuries, evidence by Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink’s return last week. It does not seem like a coincidence that his striking partner, Scott McDonald, netted two goals upon the big man’s return. Hopefully Celtic are able to figure out the Dundee United combination this time around and I see a 2-1 victory at Hampden and a move to the finals, possibly against Rangers.