Rangers boss Walter Smith congratulates Celtic for sealing deal for Tottenham Hotspur's Robbie Keane

Loan purchase of Keane good for the SPL...

By Alan Dawson

Robbie Keane, Ireland (Getty Images)
The Old Firm rivalry may be fiercely contested on the pitch, but Rangers manager Walter Smith has congratulated Celtic boss Tony Mowbray for making a "box-office signing" in Tottenham Hotspur forward Robbie Keane, albeit on a loan basis.

Smith stated that he grew frustrated as he was unable to supplement his Ibrox Stadium ranks during the mid-season transfer window, something that may have been further exasperated once he came to realise the extent of bitter Glasgow neighbours Celtic's adoption of an aggressive transfer tactic.

The Hoops signed, among others, Ki Sung-Yong, Jos Hooiveld and Morten Rasmussen, as well as sealing deadline day deals for highly-rated left-back Edson Braafheid and Fulham forward Diomansy Kamara.

However, it is the temporary transfer of Keane that has piqued the Scotsman's interest.

"Celtic have to be congratulated in making the changes there," Smith said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"I think they have brought in some good players. Bringing in a player like Robbie Keane has raised the profile of Scottish football once again."

Smith acknowledged that, despite Rangers' 10-point lead over the second-placed Parkhead outfit (who have a game in hand), he hopes that failing to add to his squad does not have an influence on where the SPL title ends up.

"It's a little bit of frustration there that maybe we are still leaving ourselves a little bit open to suspension and injury by not being able to add to our group, but the boys here have been fantastic," he added.



 
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