HAMMERS TALK: Irons forward a target for Celtic? (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

HAMMERS TALK: Irons forward a target for Celtic?

5:01pm Tuesday 18th November 2008 in

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WEST HAM striker Craig Bellamy is being lined up for a shock return to Celtic in January, according to reports.

Hoops boss Gordon Strachan is desperate to add to his attacking options amid an injury crisis to his strikers and has earmarked Bellamy - who spent five months on loan at Parkhead in 2005 - as the ideal signing.

The source claims that Strachan - who signed Bellamy in a £6.5million deal from Norwich City while Coventry boss in 2000 - wants the 29-year-old on loan in the New Year with a view to a permanent move in the summer.

A Celtic source is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: "Gordon is acutely aware he needs to strengthen his strike force after the injury problems he has had this season.

"He has his eye on Bellamy and wants to make a move in January. Gordon has worked with Bellers before so knows all about his controversial nature.

"But he believes he can get the best out of him and give him the chance to win trophies and play at the highest possible level in the Champions League again."

Bellamy's West Ham career has stalled because of respective stomach, groin and hamstring injuries. He managed just nine appearances last season following a £7.5million switch from Liverpool.

The former Blackburn star's match-time this campaign has also been hampered, although he has started each of the Irons' last six games.