Celtic’s on-loan striker Robbie Keane has ruled out an extended stay at Parkhead and says he will be a Spurs player again next season. Keane, who joined Celtic on loan in a last-gasp deal on transfer deadline day, says he is targeting success during his time in Glasgow but he is only at the club for a short spell.
“I only have a few months here,” he said.
“I’m at Celtic until the end of the season and that’s as far as it goes at the moment. I will be going back to Spurs in the summer.”
The Republic of Ireland striker had an unhappy start to his time as a Celtic player as he was part of the side that lost 1-0 to Kilmarnock in midweek but says he is targeting silverware with the club. Celtic are ten points behind Rangers in the title race and face Dunfermline on the Scottish Cup on Sunday and Keane says the side need to go on a run of wins to give themselves a chance.
“What I’m concentrating on is trying to bring success to Celtic this season,” the striker added.
“New players normally take time to gel but we don’t have time on our side. The sooner we go on a run of games the better.”
Keane agreed to move to Glasgow in a bid to get regular first team football after slipping down the pecking order at White Hart Lane. Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp had preferred to start with Peter Crouch and Jermaine Defoe as his strike partnership and, with Roman Pavyluchenko and new signing Eidur Gudjohnsen in reserve, Keane found his opportunities restricted.
In summer, Keane may find himself with a decision to make. Gudjohsen is only in London on a short-term deal, similar to Keane’s at Celtic. Pavyluchenko has been the subject of transfer speculation and could yet leave the club, though a January bid from Birmingham City was rejected.
So Keane could stay at White Hart Lane to fight for his place. But he will be aware that the club is likely to enter the transfer market again, having been linked with Klaas Jan Huntelaar amongst others. A successful spell at Celtic could see him become a target for other clubs but may yet persuade player and club to look for a way to keep the player in Glasgow on a permanent deal.
