Own Goal Gifts Celtic A Win

Parkhead In The Frame For Ireland Friendly

By Tony Quinn

Celtic deservedly claimed all three points against Kilmarock thanks to an own goal from Martyn Corrigan at Parkhead. Alan Combe was the Kilmarnock hero, the goalkeeper producing a series of fine saves to deny Scott McDonald and substitute Derek Riordan. But Corrigan deflected a wayward Scott Brown drive into the net on 64 minutes for a deserved win. Paul Hartley had come into the reigning champions' midfield in place of the suspended Aiden McGeady and Celtic suffered a double injury blow, with Chris Killen and Riordan coming on as replacements after 17 minutes. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was withdrawn with blood streaming from a head wound after a clash of heads, while Andreas Hinkel came off with thigh strain.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan explained that Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink had lost too much blood to carry on against Kilmarnock. "It was a bad one," Strachan said about the striker's head injury. "He burst a blood vessel and we couldn't take a chance."

Burnley have ended their interest in Derek Riordan. The 25-year-old has struggled to establish himself at Parkhead and has been heavily linked with a move to England in recent weeks, but Turf Moor looks unlikely to be his destination after manager Owen Coyle failed in a reported £400,000 bid.

Shunsuke Nakamura is backing Koki Mizuno to be a star at Celtic. Naka said: "Koki is a really good player. He is one of the best crossers of the ball with his right foot. He has the ability to become an excellent talent but I didn't have anything to do with his move to Celtic. I have spoken to Koki and told him about the city and the players at Celtic. I have also advised him about where to live and supermarkets that are here. Oh, and the weather. I have told him it is extremely cold here and he should bring warm clothes with him!"

Birmingham's new £6million capture James McFadden has admitted that he would have agreed to move to Celtic on loan this month. Gordon Strachan reportedly swooped for the lifelong Celtic fan with a loan approach in December, but Everton sought cash compensation. "Celtic tried to take me on loan before the transfer window opened and I was keen on it at the time but I didn't speak with Gordon Strachan. I don't know what happened at the end."

Bobo Balde has hinted that he'll hold out for top club after being linked to some of the mid-level Premiership teams. Bolton have dropped out of the race to sign the defender, who played for Guinea in their 2-1 African Cup of Nations defeat to hosts Ghana on Sunday. Sunderland and Birmingham are reportedly still monitoring the 32-year-old's situation, but Bobo is cool on their interest. "I'm content at Celtic but I'd like more playing time," Balde admitted. "Will I leave in January? That's up to Celtic. I would only accept it if it was a club at a good level."

Celtic are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Polish left back Seweryn Gancarczyk after handing the 26-year-old a trial. The Poland international has left a winter training camp at Ukrainian side Metalist Kharkiv to join up with the Bhoys in an attempt to seal a move to Parkhead. Gordon Strachan appears to have secured first option on the player, who could complete a £750,000 move to the Glasgow side should he impress sufficiently.

Celtic have also invited American international goalkeeper Brad Guzan to training this week. Guzan, 23, is valued at about £1m and has played four times for the USA.

Parkhead is in the frame to host the Republic of Ireland's proposed friendly with Croatia on March 25. The Irish FA are poised to approach Celtic this week with a proposal, as their home, Croke Park, is unlikely to be available for the match. Lansdowne Road is undergoing reconstruction, so the FAI are considering holding the match in the UK. An FAI spokesperson said: "At this stage, the friendly hasn't been confirmed as we are in the process of finding a new manager. But Celtic Park is one of the stadiums being considered."

Dion Dublin has confirmed that he will retire from the game at the end of the current campaign. The 38-year-old is currently with Norwich City, having previously enjoyed spells with Cambridge Utd, Man Utd, Coventry, Aston Villa, Millwall, Leicester and Celtic.