Doyle: Celtic move was so close

Kevin Doyle last night admitted he was poised to join Celtic on transfer deadline day.

Mon, 04 Feb, 2013 - 00:00

Liam Mackey

According to the Ireland striker, whose winner against Kazakhstan in September last night earned him the 3 FAI Goal of the Year award, he was certain Wolves were ready to allow him move to the SPL champions on loan until the end of the season.

Doyle said: “It was very close because I thought Wolves were agreeing to it. It had been made aware to some of the players that the wage bill needed to be reduced, so they needed to get players out. I thought it was going ahead with three or four days to go to the deadline. It would have been nice for the four months; fantastic to face Juventus in the Champions League.”

Meanwhile, Keith Andrews was named Senior International Player of The Year at the 23rd Three/FAI International Football Awards.

Amid the overall disappointment of Euro 2012, the Bolton midfielder was one of Ireland’s best performers in the tournament, despite being sent off in the final game against Italy.

“To be nominated with the likes of Richard and Robbie last year, I was in disbelief,” said Andrews last night. “To win it this year — it makes me very, very proud.”

Andrews misses Wednesday’s friendly against Poland with a torn thigh muscle but fully expects to be back in the mix in time for the March World Cup qualifiers.

“The injury is coming on really well,” he said last night. “I did it two weeks ago and it was pencilled in for six weeks and already the early signs are good and it’s healing really nicely.

“So I’m confident for March but because I’ve never had a muscular injury like this, I’m a little bit unsure what to expect. So I’m sticking to the guidelines from the medical staff and the club and so far it’s gone very, very well. ” Other winners included Wigan’s James McCarthy who was named Young International Player of the Year, Hull City’s Robbie Brady who was crowned the U21 Player of the Year for the second year running and Jason McGuinness who was voted the Airtricity League Player of the Year for his performances with Sligo. Kevin Sheedy was inducted into the FAI Hall of Fame.

Award winners:

3 International goal: Kevin Doyle (Wolves)

Senior international player: Keith Andrews (Bolton)

Young international player: James McCarthy (Wigan Athletic)

Airtricity League Player of the Year: Jason McGuinness (Shamrock Rovers)

Senior women’s international player: Emma Byrne (Arsenal)

U21 international player: Robbie Brady (Hull City)

U19 international player: Anthony Forde (Wolves)

U19 women’s international player: Emma Hansberry (Castlebar Celtic)

U17 international player: Jack Grealish (Aston Villa)

U17 women’s international player: Lauren Dwyer (Wexford Ladies)

U16 international player: Noe Baba (Fulham)