New Bhoy Bellamy Looking To Impress Parkhead Faithful
By Aidan Begley

There are many ways of signing your own P45 – and calling your very own Manager ‘a liar’ live on national television, will take some beating.

But for Craig Bellamy, as one door closes on one set of passionate fans, another opens for him at Celtic as he starts his Scottish football career this month.

Bellamy’s actions at Newcastle United by allegedly refusing to play for the Toon Army against Arsenal have been well documented, but the 25-year-old Welsh international is looking forward to pulling on the green and white hooped jersey of Celtic, and consequently fulfilling a boyhood dream.

Speaking after sealing his loan move to Glasgow until the end of the season, Bellamy said: “I have always had a soft touch for Celtic.

“I come from a Celtic supporting area of Cardiff. I don’t want to go into it too much, because I don’t want to upset the other half, but Celtic have a big say where I am from in Wales and a lot of my friends and family were delighted when I signed, because it means a lot to them.”

Bellamy turned down the chance to move to Birmingham City during the transfer window, even though a £6 million fee had been agreed between Newcastle and the Blues. However, the striker wanted to move north of the border and experience the rough and tumble of life in the SPL, insisting that he does not expect to walk straight into the Celtic starting eleven.

“I’ve not come here expecting to play and I am not expecting a pile of goals up here either. Every game we play up here will be tough, because it’s Celtic and everyone wants to beat you,” explains Bellamy.

Team-mate and fellow Welsh international John Hartson has welcomed the signing of Bellamy, but has given him a warning to keep his off-field antics low key and that he will be in the media spotlight even more now he is in Scotland.

“Craig has to be careful where he eats, drinks and mixes. I’ll be having a word. He is not an 18 or 19-year-old anymore. He’s 25 and needs to take stock of things. I’ve been here four years now and you simply cannot afford to go around like he does and say the things he does. He is a great footballer, with undoubted talent, and will worry Rangers with his goalscoring skills,” said Hartson.

Bellamy’s recent two goal brace for Wales against Hungary proved that he has found his shooting boots again, and is looking forward to playing club football following a turbulent few weeks in his career.

“It’s still an emotional time for me at the moment. I am still getting my head around things. But all I can do is concentrate on doing my best for this great club and put everything into it. My aim is to win two trophies this season,” said Bellamy.

An apparent disruptive member of dressing room while on Tyneside, Hoops boss Martin O’Neill believes that he will be able to keep Bellamy on tight reigns, and wants his goals to do the talking.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic to have signed Craig. We do have an option to sign him on a more permanent basis at the end of the season. He has that reputation, no doubt about it, but we’ll have to take that on, but I’m sure if he scores a few goals, nobody will talk about that.

“There are one or two big players here – and I don’t mean bigger than Craig physically because most people are – but lads who can give it out as well. So he won’t have it all his own in the dressing room.”

In other developments at Parkhead, former Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz has signed for the Bhoys, after being he was surplus to requirements at Anfield by Reds’ boss Rafael Benitez.

Exiting through the side door into the Glasgow night is Senegal international Henri Camera who ended his loan spell at Celtic, and moved back to the Premiership to spearhead the Southampton attack as they try and avoid relegation to the Championship.

Defender Bobo Balde ended speculation about his future with the Bhoys by signing a four-year extension to his current contract with the Scottish champions, following serious interest from Middlesbrough and Birmingham City.

The 29-year-old Guinea inter-national looked set to end his four-year stay at Celtic, but had a welcome change of heart and put pen-to-paper for a new deal. “I have had many things to consider over the last few weeks but my heart has been with Celtic for sometime. I want to try and help Celtic retain the championship,” said Balde.