Freddie Ljungberg arrives at Celtic, after late goals spare Neil Lennon more woe

SWEDISH star Freddie Ljungberg, the former Arsenal and West Ham midfielder, flew into Glasgow last night in an attempt to win a surprise deal with Celtic.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon, who will run the rule over Freddie Ljungberg, left, this week, celebrates the 2-0 win over St Johnstone with goalscorers Cha Du Ri (11) and Ki Sung Yeung Picture: SNS

After watching Celtic score two injury-time goals through South Korea duo Cha Du-Ri and Ki Sung-yueng to beat St Johnstone and keep their Clydesdale Bank Premier League title challenge alive, Neil Lennon confirmed that he was considering signing the 33-year-old free agent.

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Ljungberg is currently with Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer, but will be available shortly at no cost other than his wages. He earns plenty money from his modelling career - he is the face and six-pack of Calvin Klein underwear - and may not be difficult to deal with.

"It is not a trial or anything like that," said Lennon. "It is so that we can have a look at him and he can have a look at us. I don't think he is over the hill.

"We were contacted three or four weeks ago about it. He had a horrendous time with injuries at West Ham but has played a lot of games in America.

"You never lose that quality, I don't think, he might be missing an edge but we will see how he is. He might just add something that we need.

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"He can supply a final ball and makes very intelligent runs. He has been a quality player for a long, long time and is vastly experienced. He is a big name but that doesn't concern me so much. It is about the quality he can bring to the club. If that is there then it is certainly an avenue we will pursue.

"He has been a quality player for a long time, he is vastly experienced and it's just an opportunity that might be there for us."

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Lennon's assistant coach, Johan Mjallby, played his part in persuading his former international colleague to consider Celtic, and the club's fans will be hoping he has the same impact as Robbie Keane did with his stint last season.

Lennon explained: "Johan Mjallby helped. Ljungberg's agency contacted us and Johan had a chat with him. He is keen to come and he wants to play in Europe again."

Lennon will lose yesterday's goalscorers, Cha and Ki, to the Asia Cup today, but he joked that he might have "strangled" both of them as Celtic struggled to break down the Perth men. "I was delighted for the players," the Irishman said. "We kept plugging away and it was frustrating but we are very grateful for the two goals. But I could have strangled the both of them before Cha scored."

The South Korean pair's late intervention was vital, as Rangers were winning 4-1 at Fir Park against Motherwell, and Celtic at least stay within two points of the leaders ahead of the Old Firm clash next Sunday.Before that, Celtic will host Motherwell on Wednesday, with Rangers due to play St Johnstone in Perth on the same evening.

Rangers were impressive in victory yesterday, with man of the match Vladimir Weiss adding to a double from Kenny Miller and an unfortunate headed own goal from Steven Saunders. The only negative for Rangers was the sight of Steven Naismith limping out of the action shortly before half-time with a hamstring strain. It is too soon to tell whether he will be available for the Old Firm clash. Manager Walter Smith said: "He just felt his hamstring. I think it was coming from the base of his back so we will just have to wait and see how it is but I don't think it's too bad. We will know better tomorrow. I would say he would certainly be doubtful for Wednesday's game (against St Johnstone] but any further than that, I'm not sure."

Elsewhere, Craig Brown got off to a winning start at Aberdeen with a 2-1 victory at Hibs, while St Mirren came from behind to win by the same score at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.