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Football

'Celtic must keep Robbie Keane'

11 Mar 2010


Former Celtic hero Lubomir Moravcik has urged the club to do everything possible to keep Robbie Keane and build their team around him.

Keane netted both goals in Celtic's 2-0 victory over Falkirk on Sunday to take his tally to five in seven games since moving to Parkhead on loan from Tottenham.

The Republic of Ireland international's arrival in Glasgow sparked the sort of adulation that Moravcik and Henrik Larsson received from the Celtic fans.

Moravcik understands that Celtic do not have the financial clout to attract and retain big names but he feels Keane's winning mentality could rub off on the rest of the squad and lift a Celtic side currently sitting 13 points behind Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Rangers.

Keane is being paid a reported £65,000 per week and his career total of more than £70million in transfer fees suggests he will be out of Celtic's price range, especially with the potential for a second successive season without Champions League income.

However, Moravcik believes keeping the 29-year-old at Parkhead could suit all parties.

"Robbie played two very good games against France for Ireland, I watched both games," the Slovakian said.

"He's still a very good player. He had a hard situation at Tottenham because (Jermain) Defoe and (Roman) Pavlyuchenko took over his place.

"Maybe this is the future for Celtic - build the team around Robbie Keane as a captain and maybe as the main man for Celtic, because he has a couple of years ahead of him.

"To finish at Celtic would be perfect for him, the club and the fans.

"He's got a winning mentality, this is good for Celtic. They have to bring players who is good with him up front.

"It's up to the manager to build a new team because this team is not good enough if they don't have results."

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