Rumors Round-up!

By: Matt | August 25th, 2009

As we draw closer to the second leg of the Champions League play-off, we also draw closer to the end of the silly transfer season. Which means numerous rumors, most of them shite, about the potential comings and goings for Celtic. Some of them are laughable and some of them make a Bhoys heart go aflutter. However, where would we be without the token Robbie Keane to Celtic rumor. Let’s check them all out!

-If it is the transfer season, there at least has to be one Robbie Keane rumor to Celtic. There were some absurd ones earlier, but this is the most “realistic”. However, even if it seems plausible, it is a Robbie Keane to Celtic rumor. It won’t happen. I guess I should report what the rumor is though. The rumors floating are saying Keane would come to Celtic for a straight swap of either Aiden McGeady or Scott Brown and some cash. See, it’s plausible, sort of. I wouldn’t do it, but it seems within the realm of reason, but it won’t happen. You know that. I know that. So let’s move on.

-Georgios Samaras is allegedly a target for West Ham. Hammers coach Gianfranco Zola has made “discreet enquiries” about the striker’s interest in a return to England. Apparently a bad first touch and falling ass backwards into goals is all the rage in East London. If the price is right, I would not be opposed to this. Marc Antoine Fortune seems to be rounding into form, Scott McDonald will pout and find his usual 20-30 goals, and Chris Killen has shown some form in the preseason and can provide some depth. This move could also fund a purchase of another striker for Celtic.
-One of those possible replacements to Samaras is Villarreal’s Argentinian striker Marco Ruben, who is currently on loan at Recreativo. However, several English clubs have now joined in the race for the 22-year-old who cost Villarreal £4.6million 18 months ago.
-Finally, Celtic have also been linked with Ki Seong-ryong, FC Seoul and South Korea International MF. Ki’s agent announced that Celtic FC approached him officially last week. Celtic said that they want to conclude this move before the last day of August. He was a regular of the fairly talented South Korean national team at age 20 and seems to have loads of promise. However, FC Seoul have rejected one of Celtic’s deals, so Celtic might have to spend a bit more to get Ki.

Tony Mowbray is looking to be active in the last week of the transfer window, but said this of the window closing: “The last week of the transfer window is when things start to happen at football clubs. Teams are sitting there hoping to move so-and-so on, but don’t want to be too anxious because they don’t want the price to drop. Some clubs start to panic and start offering much more money than the player is worth. Other clubs are pushing people out the door and other teams are getting bargains. I’d suggest there is a potential for a bit of movement and we would hope that there would be. But, if there isn’t, then I won’t be sitting here after the Hibs game on Sunday disappointed.”