Celtic re-enter pursuit for Irish striker

Celtic are set to renew attempts to sign Wolves striker Kevin Doyle. The Evening Times state that Neil Lennon will move to sign the Irish international in the summer months. The Glasgow club tried to sign Doyle in January but were knocked back by the midlands club, who face a tense battle against a consecutive relegation to NPower League One.

Doyle has failed to hit double figures in any of his four seasons at Molineux, since arriving from Reading in 2009.  In the Irishman’s defence he has often been deployed in a 4-5-1 formation, particularly in the Premier League, and has levels of experience which could be valuably deployed at Parkhead.

As well as the need to further strengthen in preparation for the rigours of UEFA Champions League football, Lennon and the Celtic board are likely to face a battle to keep their star players over the summer months.  Victor Wanyama, Gary Hooper, Fraser Forster and Joe Ledley have all attracted attention from Premier League outfits.

With their Old Firm rivals still some way of a return to the SPL, the Champions League (qualification pending) essentially resembles Celtic’s only form of consistently competitive football. Having outlasted Chelsea and Manchester City in reaching the last 16 this season, Celtic will require reinforcements to perform any repeated heroics this summer. 

Michael Dobson

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