FOOTBALL: KEANEWOULD CENTRE-HALF THEM IN TWO; FORMER TEAM-MATE SAYS NEW BHOY ROY CAN BE A STAR IN MIDFIELD OR DEFENCEAN BE A STAR IN MIDFIELD OR DEFENCE Berg backs Roy to terrify forwards in Celts backline.(Sport)

Byline: By Neil Cameron

THERE are some English commentators who believe Roy Keane took a step backwards when he moved to Scotland.

Whatever your view on the matter, Gordon Strachan may yet ask the Irishman to take a visible step back to allow Celtic to truly benefit from his arrival in Glasgow.

Amid all the latest goings-on at Celtic Park, be it their extended lead at the top of the table, the manager's entertaining fall-out with Inverness No.2 Malky Thomson or the signing of Keane, one topic appears to have passed without a mention.

That is a defence which for a while looked to have clicked after some hard toil has started leaking goals again.

It's not an emergency but, by the same token, for a manager who is something of a perfectionist it will not have escaped his attention.

This is where Keane may well come in when he eventually gets clearance to don the famous green and white hoops.

A poor defensive performance on Sunday saw Inverness score within 32 seconds and had it not been for the heroics of Artur Boruc, Celtic may well have lost in the Highlands.

Dunfermline,Hibs and Aberdeen have all had some joy against the same defence of late but Celtic escaped because of the team's forward play. However, they won't emerge unscathed on every occasion.

Bobo Balde has gone back to his old unpredictable ways which, if allowed to fester, will not do the promising Stephen McManus any favours in the long run.

But put Keane in there at centre-half and it could be a problem quickly solved.

Henning Berg knows the Scottish game from his year spent at Rangers and certainly knows Keane - his captain for five years at Old Trafford.

They played together in defence a couple of times at Manchester United and the Norwegian has no doubts Keane can provide the solution to the defensive frailties.

Berg said: "Could Roy play in defence? I honestly could not see that being any sort of problem.

"I played alongside him once ortwice at the back and it was no problem for him. In fact, he played at the back quite a few times at United and Sir Alex Ferguson used tosayhewasone of the best central defenders around"Roy can read a game better than anyone I know, which is so important for a defender. His combativeness and ability to tackle goes withoutsayingso there wouldbeno worries there.

"He might not be the tallest but it's not as if he is small either.Plus he is a fantastic header of the ball.

"Roy is 34 now and that has to be taken into consideration and I'm sure some fans will have thought about that. But perhaps that is why defence might be his best position.

"He won't need to run about the park as much as he would in midfield, although I would have to say I'm absolutely sure Roy could still play in the middle.

"But I can see him at the back. He is so good at starting attacks and keeping possession, vital for a centre-half. I don't think sweeper would be the best way to use him.He could play as a centre-half but I'd have a taller player beside him.

"And I think it would be fair to say that any young SPL striker would be, if not intimidated, then certainly in awe of a legend whenever they came up against him.

"I haven't seen Celtic this season so I don't know how the defence has played, although it can't have been too bad as they are top of the league. But Roy can only help out the players around him."

Celtic will have to do without Balde when the African Nations Cup stars next month and while the giant Guinean's performances can swing from brilliant to bewildering, the fact remains he still needs to be replaced.

Chinese international Due Wei is un-tried while Stanislav Varga seems to be completely out of the picture. While Celtic may win the league anyway, from Strachan's point of view there is no point in risking anything now McManus has come on a ton but is still learning. And who better to learn fromthanamaster of his craft.

Berg said: "For any young player there is no better teacher. I don't think I ever played with anyone like him. I honestly don't think I can remember a time when he didn't give 100 per cent. He demands that for himself and from everyone around him.

"If Celtic have young guys, particularly at the back, then Roy is just the man to lead them. He is one of the most influential players football has seen in a long time.

"At his peak, nobody could say anything other than he was one of the best of his generation.

"Good players can play anywhere. I'm sure Gordon Strachan would just have wanted a player of his stature at the club. Then he could decide where he would play in the team."

If Keane's role in the side is still to be determined his love for the club is not up for question.

Berg added: "It didn't surprise me when I heard he had signed for the club. Everyone at United always knew he was a Celtic fan

CAPTION(S):

STAND-OUT STAND-IN: Berg, above left, feels Keane will shine in defence in Balde's absence; INFLUENTIAL: Roy Keane will be happy in any position for Celtic, according to Henning Berg

FOOTBALL: KEANEWOULD CENTRE-HALF THEM IN TWO; FORMER TEAM-MATE SAYS NEW BHOY ROY CAN BE A STAR IN MIDFIELD OR DEFENCEAN BE A STAR IN MIDFIELD OR DEFENCE Berg backs Roy to terrify forwards in Celts backline.(Sport)

Byline: By Neil Cameron

THERE are some English commentators who believe Roy Keane took a step backwards when he moved to Scotland.

Whatever your view on the matter, Gordon Strachan may yet ask the Irishman to take a visible step back to allow Celtic to truly benefit from his arrival in Glasgow.

Amid all the latest goings-on at Celtic Park, be it their extended lead at the top of the table, the manager's entertaining fall-out with Inverness No.2 Malky Thomson or the signing of Keane, one topic appears to have passed without a mention.

That is a defence which for a while looked to have clicked after some hard toil has started leaking goals again.

It's not an emergency but, by the same token, for a manager who is something of a perfectionist it will not have escaped his attention.

This is where Keane may well come in when he eventually gets clearance to don the famous green and white hoops.

A poor defensive performance on Sunday saw Inverness score within 32 seconds and had it not been for the heroics of Artur Boruc, Celtic may well have lost in the Highlands.

Dunfermline,Hibs and Aberdeen have all had some joy against the same defence of late but Celtic escaped because of the team's forward play. However, they won't emerge unscathed on every occasion.

Bobo Balde has gone back to his old unpredictable ways which, if allowed to fester, will not do the promising Stephen McManus any favours in the long run.

But put Keane in there at centre-half and it could be a problem quickly solved.

Henning Berg knows the Scottish game from his year spent at Rangers and certainly knows Keane - his captain for five years at Old Trafford.

They played together in defence a couple of times at Manchester United and the Norwegian has no doubts Keane can provide the solution to the defensive frailties.

Berg said: "Could Roy play in defence? I honestly could not see that being any sort of problem.

"I played alongside him once ortwice at the back and it was no problem for him. In fact, he played at the back quite a few times at United and Sir Alex Ferguson used tosayhewasone of the best central defenders around"Roy can read a game better than anyone I know, which is so important for a defender. His combativeness and ability to tackle goes withoutsayingso there wouldbeno worries there.

"He might not be the tallest but it's not as if he is small either.Plus he is a fantastic header of the ball.

"Roy is 34 now and that has to be taken into consideration and I'm sure some fans will have thought about that. But perhaps that is why defence might be his best position.

"He won't need to run about the park as much as he would in midfield, although I would have to say I'm absolutely sure Roy could still play in the middle.

"But I can see him at the back. He is so good at starting attacks and keeping possession, vital for a centre-half. I don't think sweeper would be the best way to use him.He could play as a centre-half but I'd have a taller player beside him.

"And I think it would be fair to say that any young SPL striker would be, if not intimidated, then certainly in awe of a legend whenever they came up against him.

"I haven't seen Celtic this season so I don't know how the defence has played, although it can't have been too bad as they are top of the league. But Roy can only help out the players around him."

Celtic will have to do without Balde when the African Nations Cup stars next month and while the giant Guinean's performances can swing from brilliant to bewildering, the fact remains he still needs to be replaced.

Chinese international Due Wei is un-tried while Stanislav Varga seems to be completely out of the picture. While Celtic may win the league anyway, from Strachan's point of view there is no point in risking anything now McManus has come on a ton but is still learning. And who better to learn fromthanamaster of his craft.

Berg said: "For any young player there is no better teacher. I don't think I ever played with anyone like him. I honestly don't think I can remember a time when he didn't give 100 per cent. He demands that for himself and from everyone around him.

"If Celtic have young guys, particularly at the back, then Roy is just the man to lead them. He is one of the most influential players football has seen in a long time.

"At his peak, nobody could say anything other than he was one of the best of his generation.

"Good players can play anywhere. I'm sure Gordon Strachan would just have wanted a player of his stature at the club. Then he could decide where he would play in the team."

If Keane's role in the side is still to be determined his love for the club is not up for question.

Berg added: "It didn't surprise me when I heard he had signed for the club. Everyone at United always knew he was a Celtic fan

CAPTION(S):

STAND-OUT STAND-IN: Berg, above left, feels Keane will shine in defence in Balde's absence; INFLUENTIAL: Roy Keane will be happy in any position for Celtic, according to Henning Berg

FOOTBALL: KEANEWOULD CENTRE-HALF THEM IN TWO; FORMER TEAM-MATE SAYS NEW BHOY ROY CAN BE A STAR IN MIDFIELD OR DEFENCEAN BE A STAR IN MIDFIELD OR DEFENCE Berg backs Roy to terrify forwards in Celts backline.(Sport)

Byline: By Neil Cameron

THERE are some English commentators who believe Roy Keane took a step backwards when he moved to Scotland.

Whatever your view on the matter, Gordon Strachan may yet ask the Irishman to take a visible step back to allow Celtic to truly benefit from his arrival in Glasgow.

Amid all the latest goings-on at Celtic Park, be it their extended lead at the top of the table, the manager's entertaining fall-out with Inverness No.2 Malky Thomson or the signing of Keane, one topic appears to have passed without a mention.

That is a defence which for a while looked to have clicked after some hard toil has started leaking goals again.

It's not an emergency but, by the same token, for a manager who is something of a perfectionist it will not have escaped his attention.

This is where Keane may well come in when he eventually gets clearance to don the famous green and white hoops.

A poor defensive performance on Sunday saw Inverness score within 32 seconds and had it not been for the heroics of Artur Boruc, Celtic may well have lost in the Highlands.

Dunfermline,Hibs and Aberdeen have all had some joy against the same defence of late but Celtic escaped because of the team's forward play. However, they won't emerge unscathed on every occasion.

Bobo Balde has gone back to his old unpredictable ways which, if allowed to fester, will not do the promising Stephen McManus any favours in the long run.

But put Keane in there at centre-half and it could be a problem quickly solved.

Henning Berg knows the Scottish game from his year spent at Rangers and certainly knows Keane - his captain for five years at Old Trafford.

They played together in defence a couple of times at Manchester United and the Norwegian has no doubts Keane can provide the solution to the defensive frailties.

Berg said: "Could Roy play in defence? I honestly could not see that being any sort of problem.

"I played alongside him once ortwice at the back and it was no problem for him. In fact, he played at the back quite a few times at United and Sir Alex Ferguson used tosayhewasone of the best central defenders around"Roy can read a game better than anyone I know, which is so important for a defender. His combativeness and ability to tackle goes withoutsayingso there wouldbeno worries there.

"He might not be the tallest but it's not as if he is small either.Plus he is a fantastic header of the ball.

"Roy is 34 now and that has to be taken into consideration and I'm sure some fans will have thought about that. But perhaps that is why defence might be his best position.

"He won't need to run about the park as much as he would in midfield, although I would have to say I'm absolutely sure Roy could still play in the middle.

"But I can see him at the back. He is so good at starting attacks and keeping possession, vital for a centre-half. I don't think sweeper would be the best way to use him.He could play as a centre-half but I'd have a taller player beside him.

"And I think it would be fair to say that any young SPL striker would be, if not intimidated, then certainly in awe of a legend whenever they came up against him.

"I haven't seen Celtic this season so I don't know how the defence has played, although it can't have been too bad as they are top of the league. But Roy can only help out the players around him."

Celtic will have to do without Balde when the African Nations Cup stars next month and while the giant Guinean's performances can swing from brilliant to bewildering, the fact remains he still needs to be replaced.

Chinese international Due Wei is un-tried while Stanislav Varga seems to be completely out of the picture. While Celtic may win the league anyway, from Strachan's point of view there is no point in risking anything now McManus has come on a ton but is still learning. And who better to learn fromthanamaster of his craft.

Berg said: "For any young player there is no better teacher. I don't think I ever played with anyone like him. I honestly don't think I can remember a time when he didn't give 100 per cent. He demands that for himself and from everyone around him.

"If Celtic have young guys, particularly at the back, then Roy is just the man to lead them. He is one of the most influential players football has seen in a long time.

"At his peak, nobody could say anything other than he was one of the best of his generation.

"Good players can play anywhere. I'm sure Gordon Strachan would just have wanted a player of his stature at the club. Then he could decide where he would play in the team."

If Keane's role in the side is still to be determined his love for the club is not up for question.

Berg added: "It didn't surprise me when I heard he had signed for the club. Everyone at United always knew he was a Celtic fan

CAPTION(S):

STAND-OUT STAND-IN: Berg, above left, feels Keane will shine in defence in Balde's absence; INFLUENTIAL: Roy Keane will be happy in any position for Celtic, according to Henning Berg

FOOTBALL: KEANEWOULD CENTRE-HALF THEM IN TWO; FORMER TEAM-MATE SAYS NEW BHOY ROY CAN BE A STAR IN MIDFIELD OR DEFENCEAN BE A STAR IN MIDFIELD OR DEFENCE Berg backs Roy to terrify forwards in Celts backline.(Sport)

Byline: By Neil Cameron

THERE are some English commentators who believe Roy Keane took a step backwards when he moved to Scotland.

Whatever your view on the matter, Gordon Strachan may yet ask the Irishman to take a visible step back to allow Celtic to truly benefit from his arrival in Glasgow.

Amid all the latest goings-on at Celtic Park, be it their extended lead at the top of the table, the manager's entertaining fall-out with Inverness No.2 Malky Thomson or the signing of Keane, one topic appears to have passed without a mention.

That is a defence which for a while looked to have clicked after some hard toil has started leaking goals again.

It's not an emergency but, by the same token, for a manager who is something of a perfectionist it will not have escaped his attention.

This is where Keane may well come in when he eventually gets clearance to don the famous green and white hoops.

A poor defensive performance on Sunday saw Inverness score within 32 seconds and had it not been for the heroics of Artur Boruc, Celtic may well have lost in the Highlands.

Dunfermline,Hibs and Aberdeen have all had some joy against the same defence of late but Celtic escaped because of the team's forward play. However, they won't emerge unscathed on every occasion.

Bobo Balde has gone back to his old unpredictable ways which, if allowed to fester, will not do the promising Stephen McManus any favours in the long run.

But put Keane in there at centre-half and it could be a problem quickly solved.

Henning Berg knows the Scottish game from his year spent at Rangers and certainly knows Keane - his captain for five years at Old Trafford.

They played together in defence a couple of times at Manchester United and the Norwegian has no doubts Keane can provide the solution to the defensive frailties.

Berg said: "Could Roy play in defence? I honestly could not see that being any sort of problem.

"I played alongside him once ortwice at the back and it was no problem for him. In fact, he played at the back quite a few times at United and Sir Alex Ferguson used tosayhewasone of the best central defenders around"Roy can read a game better than anyone I know, which is so important for a defender. His combativeness and ability to tackle goes withoutsayingso there wouldbeno worries there.

"He might not be the tallest but it's not as if he is small either.Plus he is a fantastic header of the ball.

"Roy is 34 now and that has to be taken into consideration and I'm sure some fans will have thought about that. But perhaps that is why defence might be his best position.

"He won't need to run about the park as much as he would in midfield, although I would have to say I'm absolutely sure Roy could still play in the middle.

"But I can see him at the back. He is so good at starting attacks and keeping possession, vital for a centre-half. I don't think sweeper would be the best way to use him.He could play as a centre-half but I'd have a taller player beside him.

"And I think it would be fair to say that any young SPL striker would be, if not intimidated, then certainly in awe of a legend whenever they came up against him.

"I haven't seen Celtic this season so I don't know how the defence has played, although it can't have been too bad as they are top of the league. But Roy can only help out the players around him."

Celtic will have to do without Balde when the African Nations Cup stars next month and while the giant Guinean's performances can swing from brilliant to bewildering, the fact remains he still needs to be replaced.

Chinese international Due Wei is un-tried while Stanislav Varga seems to be completely out of the picture. While Celtic may win the league anyway, from Strachan's point of view there is no point in risking anything now McManus has come on a ton but is still learning. And who better to learn fromthanamaster of his craft.

Berg said: "For any young player there is no better teacher. I don't think I ever played with anyone like him. I honestly don't think I can remember a time when he didn't give 100 per cent. He demands that for himself and from everyone around him.

"If Celtic have young guys, particularly at the back, then Roy is just the man to lead them. He is one of the most influential players football has seen in a long time.

"At his peak, nobody could say anything other than he was one of the best of his generation.

"Good players can play anywhere. I'm sure Gordon Strachan would just have wanted a player of his stature at the club. Then he could decide where he would play in the team."

If Keane's role in the side is still to be determined his love for the club is not up for question.

Berg added: "It didn't surprise me when I heard he had signed for the club. Everyone at United always knew he was a Celtic fan

CAPTION(S):

STAND-OUT STAND-IN: Berg, above left, feels Keane will shine in defence in Balde's absence; INFLUENTIAL: Roy Keane will be happy in any position for Celtic, according to Henning Berg