Halliche plays in Celtic trial

NEIL Lennon watched Fulham central defender Rafik Halliche play 90 minutes in a friendly against Hibernian at Lennoxtown yesterday. The Algeria international, 25, is on trial at Celtic and impressed in the 3-0 win in which Mo Bangura scored a double, with skipper Scott Brown also on target.

Halliche is under contract at Craven Cottage for another 18 months, but Fulham manager Martin Jol is reportedly willing to let him go. The game also gave the Celtic manager an opportunity to see players who have recently come back from injury – such as Kelvin Wilson, Thomas Rogne and James Keatings – while those lacking match practice such as Paddy McCourt and Charlie Mulgrew also played.

Speaking to the club’s website after the game, Lennon said: “It was a really worthwhile exercise with Kelvin, Scott, Thomas, Paddy and Mo all getting a good run-out. I was pleased with the performance and the attitude of the players was great.

“Bangura was excellent and scored two great goals. I was delighted with his performance, and it will stand him in good stead for the games coming up.”