Fans rush to acclaim Roy the Bhoy

WHEN word spread throughout Glasgow that Roy Keane had arrived at Celtic Park, Hoops fans immediately began to make their way to the front of the Main Stand in time-honoured fashion to welcome their new hero.

The assembled media, summoned inside the stadium for the press conference which would end weeks of speculation about the 34-year-old Irishman’s future, were equally excited.

A rush to the windows to catch a glimpse of the former Man United player, which proved premature, stripped away the cool, aloof persona that many media types like to portray.

As former Celtic midfielder Paul McStay was fond of saying: “There was a buzz about the place.”

However, when Keane finally entered the room flanked by Celtic manager Gordon Strachan and chief executive Peter Lawwell there followed what could only be described as a reverential hush.

Keane took his seat and gave out that familiar look of calm menace. No one in the room was in any doubt that they were in the presence of one of the world’s most high-profile footballers, least of all Keane himself. Lawwell began by trying to quash some of the speculation which had surrounded Keane’s possible move to Celtic since his departure from Old Trafford last month.

Amongst other things, it had been rumoured that Strachan was less than keen on the player and widely reported that majority shareholder Dermot Desmond would be paying half of the reported £40,000-a-week wages.

But Lawwell said: “A great player has joined a great club. We are absolutely delighted - the board, the management and the players.

“We wanted him and eventually got him - total unity across the club, no divisions. Dermot Desmond has been a fantastic supporter of this transaction. But in terms of his support that is where it started and ended. There is no financial contribution Dermot will make towards this deal.”

Keane remained impassive throughout what was in essence a series of stock enquiries about the transfer.

Strachan, on the other hand, shifted uncomfortably at times but was angered only by the suggestion that Desmond had brought in Keane over his head.

Strachan explained how a “face- to-face” meeting a fortnight ago had paved the way to the Irishman’s arrival while Keane stressed that he had “not come up here on an ego trip or to unwind. I’m here to win matches.”

By the time the Irishman had left the broadcast media to speak to the newspapers, the throng outside had swelled five-fold.

While the Old Trafford legend again explained his decision to come to Glasgow, clearly audible shouts of “Keano, Keano” drifted up from his new admirers outside.

When the media formalities were complete he eventually made his way outside to meet the crowd, including bizarrely, a dog with a Celtic scarf around its neck.