Motherwell close in on Kennedy loan signing

Published on Sunday 20 July 2008 21:52

MOTHERWELL hope to tie up a loan deal for Celtic defender John Kennedy early this week.

The 24-year-old joined Well at their training camp in Austria last week and is set to stay at Fir Park until January.

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee said: "I don't see any barriers to stop us signing John.

"We just need to sort out the financial side and I had hoped it would have been done by now."

Spanish midfielder Angel Robles and German player Mark Le Rande will not be offered deals following their trial spell, but former Celtic winger Jim O'Brien and Millwall keeper Lenny Pidgeley will keep training with Motherwell.

"Pidgeley will get another chance and the same goes for Jim," McGhee added.

Bobby Zamora marked his Fulham debut with a stunning strike as Celtic's pre-season preparations suffered a setback at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Zamora completed his move from West Ham on Tuesday and wasted no time opening his account when he unleashed an unstoppable drive from the edge of the area after only three minutes.

A moment of brilliance from strike partner Erik Nevland set up the chance and the Norwegian also got on the scoresheet with a well-taken opener.

Celtic dominated between the first-half goals and deserved their 42nd-minute response from Barry Robson, who curled home a slick free-kick.

But the outcome was put beyond doubt when Denmark defender Leon Andreasen powered home with five minutes to go.

Charlie Mulgrew is set to make his Aberdeen debut in tonight's friendly at Brechin. The former Celtic and on-loan Dundee United left-back signed for the Dons last week following two years with Wolves.

And he met up with his new team-mates yesterday for his first training session.

"I've not done much (training] last week because I have been getting stuff organised down the road, but it was short and sharp and very good," he said.

"I have not played any pre-season games yet so I will look forward to getting a game."

Mulgrew, the father of a four-month-old son, revealed family reasons, the status of Aberdeen and manager Jimmy Calderwood's plans helped convince him to snub Swindon.

But the Scotland Under-21 international, who played just nine games for Wolves, has no regrets over his 80,000 switch to the midlands.

Mulgrew, who played 18 games on loan at Southend, said: "I definitely feel a better player for the experience.

"The two years benefited me and the last six months at Southend definitely helped. I have no regrets."

Aberdeen go into the Glebe Park game on the back of three friendlies without scoring, and assistant manager Jimmy Nicholl is keen to get new striker Tommy Wright on board as soon as possible.

Aberdeen followed defeat by Manchester United with a draw at Dundee before their humiliating 4-0 defeat by Peterhead on Friday night.