SPL: Danes keep in with the Bhoys

Scottish champions Celtic have struck a deal with Danish club Aarhus that will see 20-year-old Michael Doyle play in the Superliga for the rest of the season.

The Bhoys will continue to pay the left-sided Irishman’s wages and in return cash-strapped Aarhus will keep the Bhoys informed of all movements in the Danish and Swedish transfer scene.

The move was brokered by former Celtic and Denmark player Marc Rieper, now assistant-coach at Aarhus, who is one of a number of high-class Scandinavians to have pulled on the hooped jersey in recent years.

He said: ‘‘We talked a few times with Martin (O’Neill) and a few other people up there and it was clear we had the opportunity for a new lad to come and test himself. It was a great opportunity for everyone.’’

‘‘Of course he (Doyle) was nervous to start with but he wanted to do it. He arrived yesterday and is staying with me. He was already looking good in training this morning.’’

Rieper won a Championship medal in 1998 and is keen for the relationship between his new and old clubs to develop even further.

‘‘If this turns out to be a good thing for us and for Celtic it might be that all parties want to try it again. Maybe we will start sending players the other way as well.’’

Doyle is a Republic of Ireland Under-20 international but has yet to appear for the first team at Celtic Park.

Nevertheless, the Danes are so impressed with the youngster he looks certain to go straight into their staring line-up for the away game at Veijle on Monday.

Aarhus are desperate for a boost after picking up just two points from their first six games of the season.