Harry Redknapp insists Robbie Keane's move to Celtic is temporary

02-02-2010

Harry Redknapp has defended his decision to allow Robbie Keane to join Celtic on loan and maintains the Republic of Ireland striker still has a future at Tottenham. Keane joined the Glasgow club just before yesterday's transfer deadline and looks set to make his debut against Kilmarnock tonight.

Redknapp brought Keane back to White Hart Lane from Liverpool 12 months ago for a fee in the region of £13m but accepts the 29-year-old has fallen behind Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch in his pecking order.

With the former Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen arriving on loan and the Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko now back in the first-team picture, Redknapp believes the move was best for all concerned.

"It was difficult for him not playing regularly, and he is not happy to have been out of team," Redknapp said. "Crouch and Defoe are in good form, and it can cause you problems when you have too many good players in one position.

"I could not guarantee Robbie that he would start tomorrow in the Cup at Leeds, or against Villa at the weekend – and he needs to play.

"Robbie is not happy to sit around taking money without playing – yesterday in training he worked hard as always, but there was a bit of a 'Mr Angry' to him. He has a great enthusiasm for the game, Celtic is his team and it was a move for him."

Redknapp, though, maintained: "I cannot see it being permanent. It is only a loan, until the end of the season. I would think that might be as far as it goes."

Spurs have arranged a friendly against a Dagenham & Redbridge side to give Younes Kaboul, who arrived from Portsmouth during the transfer window, and Gudjohnsen a chance to work on their match fitness.