Ljungberg completes Celtic deal in time for Old Firm

FREDDIE LJUNGBERG has completed a move to Celtic after passing a medical.

The former Swedish international, who made his name playing for Arsenal in the Barclays Premier League, will be officially unveiled as a Celtic player in Glasgow today.

The 33-year-old, who began a trial at Parkhead earlier this week, could be in contention for a place in the squad for Sunday’s Old Firm derby with Rangers, subject to international clearance.

Terms of the deal have not been disclosed but it is believed Ljungberg has signed until the end of the season, with a view to extending the deal if the move is successful.

A statement on Celtic’s official website, www.celticfc.net, read: “Celtic are delighted to announce the signing of Freddie Ljungberg.

“The former Arsenal midfielder won 75 caps for Sweden during his career. Since 2009, he has been playing in the United States, first for Seattle Sounders and then, more recently for Chicago Fire.

“Ljungberg, who has been training with Celtic this week, was at Celtic Park on Wednesday night to watch the Hoops beat Motherwell 1-0 and go back to the top of the SPL.

Ljungberg made 328 appearances, scoring 72 goals, in nine years at Arsenal as the Gunners enjoyed numerous domestic successes.

He arrived in Glasgow earlier this week and has impressed manager Neil Lennon sufficiently to earn a deal.

Meanwhile, Paddy McCourt believes Celtic’s new boys will be much better prepared going to Ibrox on Sunday having tasted defeat to Rangers earlier in the season.

The Parkhead side started with six Old Firm debutants when the teams met in October and looked out of sorts as the Light Blues came back from a goal down to win 3-1.

McCourt scored the winner against Motherwell at Parkhead on Wednesday night to ensure the Hoops would travel to Govan with a one-point lead over Walter Smith‘s side at the top, albeit the champions have two games in hand.

The Northern Ireland international and former Derry City and Shamrock Rovers star insists the visitors will all be ready for what is coming.

“The new lads got a taste of it here at Celtic Park and they know what it’s about now,” he said.

“It’s a massive boost going there top of the league.

“Obviously we have got back to winning ways after dropping points in the games before the games against St Johnstone and Motherwell.

“We said before the Motherwell game just to go out there and win the game and make sure we are going to Ibrox top of the league and so we did our jobs.

Manager Neil Lennon will be without Scott Brown for the trip across Glasgow.

The Hoops’ skipper, who had only recently returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a foot injury, was sent off in the closing stages of the game against Well after picking up a second yellow card.

McCourt believes Brown’s absence will be “massive” but claims it gives an opportunity for someone else to make their mark.

“It was disappointing,” the winger said. I was pretty close to it at the time and I thought he was unlucky,

“Sometimes you get these against you and you have to get on with it.

“But he will be a massive loss for Sunday.”