One step forward: Peter Luccin will get his chance to shine in Celtic colours at this weekend's Emirates Cup. Pic: ©SNS Group
Peter Luccin will feature as a trialist for Celtic this weekend at the Emirates Cup. The Evening Times reports the Frenchman, who is a free agent following his release by Real Zaragoza, will start Saturday’s game against Olympique Lyon.
Luccin trained at Lennoxtown this week in an attempt to prove to Neil Lennon he is worthy of a contract. The defensive midfielder’s chances looked to have diminished when Biram Kayal completed his transfer on Thursday but the one-time Atletico Madrid player will be given his chance in London.
Celtic fans have already been debating over whether Luccin should be given a contract, without having seen him in action in their team.
The 31-year-old is remembered by the Hoops faithful for being caught on camera spitting at John Hartson during Celtic’s run to the 2003 Uefa Cup final, when Luccin was with Celta Vigo.
Despite that incident, Luccin has extensive experience having played for Cannes, Bordeaux, Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain before joining Celta Vigo. Zaragoza signed him from Atletico in 2007 but, having missed the 2008/09 campaign through injury, his contract was not renewed this summer.
Luccin could also provide cover in central defence, an area where Lennon concedes his team is currently short. Available on a free transfer, the Celtic boss may feel the tough-tackling player is worth a shot to provide further competition in the middle of the park.
Recent signings Efrain Juarez and Biram Kayal already provide the manager with defensive midfield options, with Marc Crosas, Scott Brown and Ki Sung-Yeung also being used in the position during pre-season.
Celtic play Arsenal on Sunday in their second game of the weekend, with Lennon likely to heavily rotate his squad to avoid injury and tiredness ahead of the second leg of his team’s Champions League third qualifying round match with Braga.
