Celtic are set to sign teenage striker Mark McAllister from Irish League club Dungannon Swifts on Saturday.
The 19-year-old will fly to Scotland to complete the formalities along with Swifts manager Harry Fay.
Celtic coach Tommy Burns contacted Fay on Thursday night to confirm that the deal was going ahead.
"Tommy Burns said it would just take a few days to formalise the arrangments and details of the transfer and he′s been true to his word" explained Fay.
Burns and fellow Parkhead coach Willie McStay watched the 19-year-old in last Saturday′s Irish Cup final against Linfield.
McAllister failed to score in the 2-2 draw and missed the vital spot-kick as the Swifts lost in a penalty shoot-out.
Cardiff City, Norwich City and Leeds United were also linked with the forward, who scored 15 goals this season.
McAllister and Fay will be joined by the player′s father on the trip to Glasgow.
07 May 2007
Celtic are poised to sign teenage striker Mark McAllister from Irish League side Dungannon Swifts.
The clubs are in talks after Parkhead coaches Tommy Burns and Willie McStay watched the 19-year-old in Saturday′s Irish Cup final against Linfield.
McAllister failed to score in the 2-2 draw and missed the vital spot-kick as the Swifts lost in a penalty shoot-out. Cardiff City, Norwich City and Leeds United are also linked with the player, who scored 15 goals this season.
Dungannon manager Harry Fay informed McAllister of Celtic′s interest after the cup decider at Windsor Park.
"Five clubs were over looking at him in the final and one club definitely wants him," Fay told the Sunday Life.
"Obviously we′re delighted for him and are determined to do what is best for him - we′ll have a firm offer on the table for him on Monday. Mark has been unaware of what has been happening so he has some thinking to do. I was determined to keep things under wraps until after the cup final."
McAllister, who has been a sensation in his first season in the Irish League, would welcome a cross-channel move.
"Of course I′d be interested in progressing my career," he said.
"It would be very hard to turn down the chance of a full-time career in either England and Scotland."
21 February 2007
The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the return of seasoned veteran Kevin Knight as well as forward David Bulow and Virginia native, Trevor McEachron.
Returning to captain the squad in 2007, Knight has been the iron man on the field for the past seven seasons, accumulating over 18,000 minutes in 205 games played with the Kickers, holding the third-place position on the Kickers career games played list.
A versatile midfielder-defender, Knight reassumed a role in the central midfield during the 2006 season after anchoring the back line for the past three seasons. A leader on and off the field, the 2000 Supporter's Choice MVP has tallied 10 goals and nine assists for 33 points and is active with the Sports Outreach Institute which offers aid to the children of Northern Uganda.
A late season addition, Bulow joined the Kickers from the Cape Cod Crusaders (PDL) upon the conclusion of the PDL season, just prior to the 2006 USL2 roster freeze date. Making his professional debut on August 5th against the Charlotte Eagles, Bulow appeared in every game to finish the season, starting two.
The Denver, Colorado native made an immediate impact on the squad by adding firepower with a goal and two assists in six games played. After brief stints with Limavady United and Dungannon Swifts of the Irish League in 2005, Bulow rejoined the Crusaders in 2006 as a player/assistant coach where he led the team to back-to-back PDL Championships (2003, 2004).
A native of Woodbridge, Virginia, McEachron returns to add strength to the Kickers defensive unit that posted nine shutouts during the 2006 campaign. Appearing in all but one game during his rookie season, he became a regular starter with the Kickers back line mid-season.
The 2003 CAA Defender of the year was an integral component of the Old Dominion University defense that did not allow a goal for the first nine games in 2003, and garnered NSCAA All-American First Team, All-CAA First Team, VaSID All-State First Team and College Soccer News All-American First Team honors.
"We are excited to announce these three player signings, guys who were an integral part of our championship run in 2006," comments Richmond Kickers Vice President & General Manager Paul Sterbenz. "Kevin Knight has become our captain and leader and is one of those guys that is frankly irreplaceable."
"David Bulow gave us a season ending boost with his appearance at the end of 2006 and we expect big things from David offensively," continues Sterbenz, "and Trevor McEachron was able to rebound from a horrendous collegiate injury and has proven that he is indeed the defensive stalwart that everyone thought he was prior to injury."
Additional Players Returning For 2007 Campaign
Six additional players remain under contract, including 2006 USL2 Goalkeeper of the Year Ronnie Pascale. One of the top netminders in the league, Pascale returns for his eighth season, sixth as starting goalkeeper after posting the league-low goals against average (0.99) during the 2006 campaign.
USL2 Most Valuable Player and leading scorer Robert Ssejjemba rejoins the 2007 side after a brief stint with DC United (MLS) at the end of the 2006 season. 2006 Supporter's Choice MVP and Player's Choice MVP Mike Burke will once again be a stalwart in the midfield after moving into the third-place position on the Kickers all-time career points list (75).
An integral component of the Kickers defensive unit that notched nine shutouts during the 2006 season, Kelvin Jones will anchor the back line again while USL2 All-League First Team selection Sascha Görres will return to add firepower to the midfield. Defender John Latting will also see action during the 2007 season after joining the Kickers in 2006, upon graduating from Davidson College.
