Celtic manager Neil Lennon has revealed he is close to signing Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy. The Hoops boss hopes the deal will be concluded shortly and hopes the 27-year-old Republic of Ireland international could even join up with the rest of the squad on Celtic’s tour of North America.
Lennon was speaking after their 1-0 defeat to Philadelphia Union, as they prepare to take on Manchester United in Toronto. The capture of Mexico international Efrain Juarez from UNAM Pumas also looks imminent.
“Juarez is pretty close,” Lennon said “We think we’re pretty close with Murphy from Sunderland as well. I think so.”
Asked if Murphy would be joining Celtic in America, Lennon replied: “If we can get it done, yeah. He’s quick, he’s six foot two and I’ve watched him a lot for a few years now.
“He was playing for Ireland in an end of season tour in America, he caught my eye and I’ve kept an eye on him ever since. I think he’d do all right, he could take the hits for us up here.”
Murphy joined Sunderland in 2005 and had a loan spell with Ipswich last year, scoring six times in 18 appearances.
While Lennon was preparing to welcome one Irish international to Glasgow, he believes Aiden McGeady wants to leave Parkhead. But he insists the Ireland winger has been left out of the current tour because of an injury.
A thigh injury meant McGeady missed Celtic’s opening 1-0 defeat to Philadelphia Union and his absence sparked speculation he was on the verge of a switch to Aston Villa Lennon insists the injury is genuine but admits he thinks he sees his future elsewhere.
“Aiden hasn‘t said to me he wants to leave in so many words,” Lennon said of the 24-year-old. “But that vibe came from his side of things. I know there are conspiracy theories but it‘s a genuine injury. He picked it up in a bounce game on Saturday behind closed doors.
“We felt that, if we were looking at 10 days, the travelling would make it worse. It was pointless bringing him here if he wasn‘t going to train and play.”
McGeady has been linked with a move away from Parkhead for some years but nothing concrete has ever materialised.
Meanwhile, the Celtic manager has not shut the door on a deal for Jimmy Bullard despite expressing frustration with the demands of some modern-day players. Bullard‘s loan move from Hull collapsed after the midfielder demanded money on top of his City wages — which reportedly would have taken his weekly income to £75,000.
“We all played for the love of the game. But then all these outside influences come on board," Lennon said. “I can understand people wanting to secure their futures, of course I do, but how much money can you earn?
“Everything was agreed with Hull and he wanted a bit more but the door is still open for Jimmy if he wants to reconsider.”
Lennon handed action to 18 players in Philadelphia as Celtic lost a match that had been placed in doubt because of heavy rain.
Former Cardiff midfielder Joe Ledley made his debut as a second-half substitute, while fellow summer arrival Charlie Mulgrew also featured off the bench but had to be replaced after suffering a cut above his right eye.
American Dominic Cervi started in goal after Artur Boruc‘s move to Fiorentina was confirmed by the Italian club yesterday, but he was beaten in the 23rd minute when French forward Sebastien Le Toux rounded him and slotted home.
Lennon also handed a start to young left-back Milan Misun, who was making his first start since picking up a serious injury during last year’s pre-season tour of Australia.
Celtic dominated for long spells after the goal but could not find an equaliser.
They pressed in injury-time but substitute Ben Hutchinson twice failed to find the net from close range after Andreas Hinkel‘s shot was blocked, and the former Middlesbrough striker then glanced a header off the underside of the bar.