The Long Ball: Scottish Football Transfer News
Published: February 2, 2010
Well the big news of the day is Celtic’s signing of Robbie Keane on loan from Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season. It is arguably the biggest transfer of the January window and has fired up many Celtic fans in the hope that Keano can have an immediate impact and help the Parkhead side reclaim the SPL title. Around 5,000 Celtic fans braved the cold and the rain to stand outside Parkhead to welcome the arrival of the striker.
Celtic have been the biggest movers and shakers as Tony Mowbray reshapes the Celtic side, by culling Strachan’s influence. The Parkhead side have brought in left-back Edson Braafheid on loan until the end of the season. The clubs have agreed a fee for the short-term switch and Braafheid has agreed to the move and is lined up as a direct replacement forDanny Fox who joined Burnley last week.
With Keane’s signing, Aussie Scott McDonald has left Parkhead to join up with former manager Gordon Strachan at Middlesborough for a reported £3.5 million, to join the Celtic contingent already there – Robson, Killen and Flood.
Celtic have also completed the signing of Senegalese international Diomansy Kamara. The Fulham forward has joined on an initial loan deal until the end of the season but Celtic have the option to make the move permanent. Kamara jetted in to Glasgow to complete the deal and he becomes another signing for Tony Mowbray in the January window, joining the likes of Jos Hooiveld, Ki Sung-Yeung and Morten Rasmussen at Parkhead.
“I’m delighted to sign for Celtic and I am very much looking forward to joining up with the manager and my new team-mates,” he told Celtic’s official website. “Celtic is a magnificent football club. I will be looking to do my very best to contribute and bring the supporters success and hopefully enjoy a long future with the club.”
Celtic also announced the signing of Motherwell youngster Paul Slane on a four-year deal. Motherwell manager Craig Brown had stated that if Slane signed a pre-contract agreement then he would not play the midfielder but the clubs have now agreed an immediate transfer. A move which angered Motherwell chairman John Boyle, who claimed that Slane showed disloyalty to Motherwell.
It wasn’t all happy news for Celtic though as Real Mallorca defender Ivan Ramis rejected a move to Celtic Park. The two clubs agreed a €3 million fee for the experienced centre-half, however Ramis’ personal demands proved too rich for Celtic. That was good news for Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano who was reluctant to see Ramis leave.
Meanwhile Dundee United have confirmed that Paul Hegarty has been appointed as first team coach until the end of the season. The Tannadice legend, who had a brief spell as manager there between October 2002 and January 2003, had been out of work since George Burley was sacked from the Scotland job in November.
Houston told the club’s official website, “I am delighted to welcome Paul back at the club where he needs no introduction. From our time together at Hearts, I know him to be a first-class coach who will fit in perfectly with the way we train and play at Dundee United.”
Hegarty added, “I am equally delighted to be back at my old club and pleased to assist the manager in every form. The team is in a very good position in terms of performance and league position, and it is our wish to continue that. I have watched United quite a few times this season and have been impressed with the attitude and performance of the team.”
Another outgoing over the transfer period was goalkeeper Mark Brown who left Celtic for Hibernian. Brown had been on loan at Kilmarnock as he found his chances at Celtic Park reduced even more when he fell down the pecking order behnd Artur Boruc and Lukasz Zaluska. But he looks to resurrect his career at Easter Road working with former Falkirk gaffer John Hughes. He has joined Hibs until te summer of 2012.
Brown told Hibs’ website, “I’m delighted to be joining Hibernian. From the training centre through to the way the team is playing and the way the manager and the club go about their business, it is an exciting place.”
There was transfer activity for Rangers, however it wasn’t players coming in but one going out. Pedro Mendes completed his move from Rangers to Sporting Lisbon after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms. With a fee of £1.5 million being agreed between the two sides. But despite Walter Smith’s hopes of bringing in a winger on loan after freeing up Mendes’ huge wages, no move happened.
Motherwell have signed New Zealand international Michael McGlinchey on loan. The former Celtic youngster has joined from Australian side Central Coast Mariners and is looking to secure his place in New Zealand’s World Cup squad.
“We’re delighted Michael is coming in and he’ll give us more attacking options down the flanks,” boss Craig Brown told his club’s official website. “He’s got a good pedigree having come through the ranks at Celtic and then on to Australia where he has played regularly for Central Coast Mariners, as well as winning three caps for New Zealand this season. His arrival will give the squad and the fans a wee boost going into a difficult and congested period for the club.”
Meanwhile Plymouth Argyle have announced that Alan Gow as joined John Hughes at Hibernian on loan until the end of the season. The winger was signed in the summer from Glasgow Rangers for an undisclosed fee, but despite scoring in his first two games for the Green Army, he found his first team chances limited. And is now looking to resurrect his career at Hibs and bolsters their attack and surge towards splitting the Old Firm this season.
With the sale of Lee Miller to Middlesborough for £500,000, Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee has brought in Steven MacLean on loan from Plymouth as well as veteran Jim Hamilton to bolster the Pittodrie side’s attack.
Hamilton have completed the signing of Inverness striker Dougie Imrie for an undisclosed fee – but rumoured to be five figures.
Killie boss Jimmy Calderwood has brought in former Dons captain Scott Severin and striker Chris Maguire on loan until the end of the season. Severin is joined at Rugby Park with Watford team mate Rob Kiernan.
Young Hibs defender Callum Booth has signed for Arbroath on loan. The 20-year-old joins the Red Lichties until the end of the season, to gain some much needed first team experience with the second division side.
Hearts have signed Ryan Stevenson from Ayr United for a five-figure fee and sold fellow midfielder Stephen Husband to Blackpool for a nominal sum.
Bolton striker Ricardo Vaz Te has joined St Johnstone on loan in order to get some regular action under his belt.
And the big news in the Highlands is that Caley Thistle forward Andy Barrowman completed a dramatic return to Ross County with just two hours of the transfer window remaining last night. The 25-year-old, who won the Second Division championship with the Dingwall club three season’s ago, terminated his contract with Inverness before agreeing an 18 month contract with County.
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