In case anyone didn't know - Keane completes switch to Celtic!!!

[Mac 10 †]

Keane completes switch to Celtic 

Roy Keane has ended weeks of speculation and completed his move to Celtic by signing an 18-month deal.
 
The 34-year-old Irishman, who ended his Manchester United career in November, had interested several Premiership clubs and Spanish giants Real Madrid.

But, as he was unveiled at Celtic Park, Keane said: "I gave other clubs a chance and was impressed with them all.

"But it's a great move for me. I feel that this is where I belong and I'm here to work hard and win games."

Keane had appeared close to joining Real only days ago, while Bolton, Everton, West Brom and West Ham were among other clubs to express their interest.

And he revealed that he had still been mulling over his decision up until his arrival in Glasgow for talks on Wednesday.

"I've been in the Premiership for a long time and feel I have proved myself there and needed a different environment, different teams, different grounds," said Keane, who had in 1999 said that he would like to end his career at Celtic Park.

"Every boy in Ireland has an interest in Celtic, although my English team at the time was Spurs for some reason.

"I've been up to Celtic to watch a few games and always enjoyed my time here."

His move to Scotland comes after nearly 13 years under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford and a well-documented falling-out with the club.

Keane was reported to have been critical of a number of his United team-mates in a MUTV programme that was pulled from the schedules because of its content.

But, stressing that he had been free of injury for a month, he said that he did not expect to walk straight into the Celtic team and rejected suggestions that he could be a disruptive influence in the dressing-room.

"This is not a financial move for me and I'm not coming here for an ego trip or to unwind," said Keane, whose deal is believed to be worth £40,000 a week, about half what he was on at Old Trafford.

"I had an important role in front of the back four at United, but I might be given more licence to play here.

"I push myself hard in training and try to push others hard - and people seemed happy with that until a few weeks ago."

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell insists the whole club are behind the signing and rejected suggestions that Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond had personally bankrolled the signing.

"We are absolutely delighted - the board, the management and the players," he said. 

"Dermot Desmond has been a fantastic supporter of this transaction.

"But, in terms of his support, that is where it started and ended. There is no financial contribution Dermot will make towards this deal."

Manager Gordon Strachan added: "He has proved over the last 15 years that he is a competitor.

"You can't get enough competitors in your squad and this was too good a chance to miss."

Keane will not be eligible to make his Celtic debut against Hearts at Tynecastle on New Year's Day as Scottish Premier League rules do not allow for players to be both registered and play on the first day of the new transfer window.

He will instead be aiming to face Clyde at Broadwood Stadium in the Scottish Cup third round the following weekend.

[Mygla]

i'm glad that lunatic isn't playing in Premier League no more 

He seems to really dislike Norwegians... he punched Fjørtoft... and his "legendary" tackle on Håland 

but he's a good player... so congrats to all you celtic fans... but he's one of the players i really dislike (along with Robbie Savage and Danny Mills... bunch o' phsycos )

[JMan]

i'm glad that lunatic isn't playing in Premier League no more 

He seems to really dislike Norwegians... he punched Fjørtoft... and his "legendary" tackle on Håland 

but he's a good player... so congrats to all you celtic fans... but he's one of the players i really dislike (along with Robbie Savage and Danny Mills... bunch o' phsycos )

i gota lot of respect for keane and i actually do like his brutal honesty on the pitch but players like Savage and Danny Mills are nothing else but wind up merchants

[Adam Donnelly]

Good luck with that cunt

[Sweet & Tender Hooligan]

Any man that uses the phrase "Shove it up your bollocks" is welcome in my team.....

[Jip]

i wish he stayed at united, but im glad he didnt go to real or anywhere in premiership

glhf

[TheDeli]

Mac 10/Reggie who do you think that Strachan will drop to fit Keane in the team? Keane to go back to the box to box player that he was at Forrest and used to be like at Man Utd so that him and Lennon can play together

Will this signal the end of the road for Petrov, will Celtic sell off Petov to fit in Keane both financially and positionally, i'd be happy with that is petrov moved on to pasture new 

[Mac 10 †]

Mac 10/Reggie who do you think that Strachan will drop to fit Keane in the team? Keane to go back to the box to box player that he was at Forrest and used to be like at Man Utd so that him and Lennon can play together

Will this signal the end of the road for Petrov, will Celtic sell off Petov to fit in Keane both financially and positionally, i'd be happy with that is petrov moved on to pasture new 

If they have half a brain - they won't sell Petrov.

I don't see why the would personally.

Celtic have said for months now that keeping Petrov is the number 1 priority for the club, hopefully that is actually true.

As for who would be dropped for him to play - I don't know.  I really don't know.  But certainly I hope it isn't either him or Lennon in the team.

Maybe we will have to re-shuffle in order to accomodate him.

[Paul]

i was thinkin where hes gonna play , he could play in the middle with lennon and hav nakamura on the left and petrov on the right

or keane is a solid centre half , u never know he could play at the bacc

[Sweet & Tender Hooligan]

His best work is at Center Midfield, but he can play central defense n with Big Bobo goin 2 the african nations he would slot in there with no problem at all. but 2 b honest Strachan must hav a trick up his sleeve, or at least an idea of where he is goin 2 play him...