Celtic: Shay Given linked again

CELTIC manager Neil Lennon may have been foiled in his attempts to bring Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given to the club at the beginning of the season, but weekend reports claimed he will get his man when the transfer window re-opens in January.

Fraser Forster was between the sticks for Celtic in yesterday's dramatic SPL victory against Dundee United, while Lukasz Zaluska was on the bench.

But Forster, only at Parkhead on loan from Newcastle United, is expected back on Tyneside in the New Year after the English Premiership side's regular No 1 Steve Harper picked up a serious shoulder injury.

Forster's exit would leave Lennon short of a goalkeeper and a Sunday newspaper yesterday reported that the club will make another move for Given, who is out of favour at Eastlands.

The 34-year-old Republic of Ireland No 1 was again on the bench for Roberto Mancini's side at the weekend as they secured a 3-2 win at Blackpool, with England international Joe Hart now the Italian's No 1 choice.

City stopped Given moving to Celtic in the summer because they could not find a suitable replacement, but it is understood he would now be allowed to move north at the turn of the year after being told he can leave the club.

Given, often considered among the best goalkeepers in Britain, will not be short of offers when he does exit Eastlands, and former City manager Mark Hughes is keen to take him to Fulham.

But Given, whose wife is from Glasgow, is a boyhood Celtic fan and he could seal a loan move to Parkhead if the Scottish club are willing to pay a chunk of his reported 90,000-a-week wages.

Celtic landed another Irishman when they took Republic striker Robbie Keane on loan from Tottenham in a high-profile deal last season, and the club's major shareholder, Dermot Desmond, may have to put his hand in his pocket again to land Given.