Soccer
Celtic track unhappy Benni
2010-01-02 17:01
Johannesburg - Celtic have reportedly registered an interest in signing Blackburn Rovers' want-away South African striker Benni McCarthy.
McCarthy has repeatedly signaled his intentions to leave the Lancashire club in search of regular game time to boost his chances of appearing in the 2010 World Cup.
The Scottish Premier League club would, however, first need to free up the £2.5 million asking price for McCarthy which, according to the Daily Mail could be achieved by selling one of Scott McDonald, Barry Robson or Gary Caldwell to Championship side Middlesbrough.
The 32-year-old, who joined the English Premier League side from Portuguese club Porto for 2.5 million pounds in July 2006, feels that he has become a peripheral figure at Ewood Park under manager Sam Allardyce.
"I'd like to stay in England. This is a great league," McCarthy told the Lancashire Telegraph.
"I'm just unhappy with my situation and need to feel wanted again. I'm not getting any younger but I know I can still make an impact.
"This is a very big year for me. To come from South Africa and have the chance to play for my country in the World Cup is massive.
"I can't risk that by playing the odd game here and there for Blackburn. I need to play and I hope they will allow me to fulfil that dream.
"They got me for next to nothing and they've had a good return with more than 50 goals in about 130 games.
"Hopefully they won't ask an unreasonable fee and let me go when the window opens," McCarthy added.