DE ROSARIO AND LJUNGBERG TRAIN WITH CELTIC

Two MLS standouts are  in Glasgow this week.  Sweden International Freddy Ljugberg, has left the Chicago Fire and has signed with Scottish superclub Celtic and is training alongside Canadian International and Toronto FC talisman Dwayne De Rosario.

Ljungberg, who came to MLS as a designated player in 2009, didn’t appear to be the mix for the Fire in 2011, and as a result of the 33-year-old moving on, Chicago gets to keep the 9^th overall pick in the upcoming MLS Superdraft as part of a trade condition with Freddie’s first MLS team, Seattle Sounders.

The case of De Ro, however, is quite different.  The 32-year old two-time MLS Cup MVP, is most certainly in the Red’s plans for 2011 and was not given permission to train anywhere, let alone go on trial and Toronto FC had to find out through the press that he was in Glasgow.

“We were unaware of Dwayne’s plan to train with Celtic and we will contact them to understand the situation,” TFC’s interim general manager Earl Cochrane said in a statement. “Obviously, if there is interest in a short-term loan arrangement by either him or Celtic, they will need to approach us and the league formally, and we will consider based on what is in TFC’s best interest.”

Celtic boss Lennon spoke to the media regarding De Ro, with no apparent shame regarding a lack of communication with the midfielders current side, “(De Ro’s) a similar player to Shaun Maloney, he likes to play off the left and come inside. He is a skilful, sharp and intelligent player. Again it’s an opportunity for us to have a look and see what he can offer us.”

In regards to Ljungberg, Lennon said, “We only saw him yesterday, and he didn’t train with the first team because they had a game the day before. But he looked very impressive. He looks in good condition, and he will get another look at him today when he trains with the first team. First impressions were very good. He fits the bill of the type of player we want to bring in.”

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