Bellamy will bloom, says Bobo
Craig Bellamy’s strike at Clyde is sure to be the first of many in a Celtic shirt, according to team-mate Bobo Balde.
The Wales international bagged his first goal in Scottish football in his new side’s 5-0 victory at Broadwood yesterday in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup.
Bellamy, who moved on loan from Newcastle in the January transfer window after a well-publicised fall-out with Graeme Souness, had a disappointing debut against Rangers. But defender Balde predicts many more goals will flow from his boots before May.
“He came from a big club and he is a terrific player,” said Balde. “He has now got his first goal in Scottish football – which helps – and he will score a lot of goals.”
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has maintained Bellamy will be a big success and he enthused: “I’m naturally pleased, even though it was the last goal in a 5-0 win.
“It was a great goal, and I was pleased with the reaction of the crowd and the players to that goal.”
O’Neill was also delighted with Juninho’s impressive performance.
The Brazilian has had a frustrating time since joining from Middlesbrough and was linked with a return to his homeland at the end of the season.
Juninho is now expected to feature against Dundee at home in the Bank of Scotland Premier League on Wednesday – a match for which Chris Sutton, Shaun Maloney and Stephane Henchoz are all doubtful after going over on their ankles.
John Hartson will return after being suspended for a team who cruised past Clyde with a Stanislav Varga double, Alan Thompson penalty and goals for Stilian Petrov and finally Bellamy.
O’Neill was anxiously awaiting news on the injured trio today as his side look to put their championship bid back on track after last week’s Old Firm defeat at Celtic Park.
Balde has, meanwhile, warned Rangers the champions will push them right down to the last game of the season in the title race.
The men from Ibrox have gained the upper hand, having built on their Old Firm win with a win over Kilmarnock to go six points clear.
Celtic still have two games in hand, but Rangers have a better goal difference and another Glasgow derby to come at Ibrox.
Balde nonetheless predicts the title race will be just as tight as it was two seasons ago when it went to Alex McLeish’s men on goal difference on the final day.
“Of course, we are not finished in the league,” said the French-born defender. “We lost against Rangers – but that was just one game, which can happen.
“The way to come back from that is to win your next game. We did that – and now we have to keep working hard and winning. We have to make sure we finish above them now.
“I think it is going to be very tight in the end. We have to close the gap, but I think it’s going right to the final game again.”
